Sports News of Monday, 22 June 2015
Source: GHANAsoccernet.com
Andre Dede Ayew
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp believes Swansea City’s acquisition of Andre Ayew on a free transfer is an excellent piece of business, The Sun report
The 25-year-old was a big figure in France, scoring 60 French top-flight goals over the past five seasons and attracting plenty of attention from a number of European clubs.
With his contract expiring this summer, Ayew was hot property and Swansea City pulled off a real coup by bringing him in ahead of heavy competition, as per the club’s official website.
Signing Ayew on a four-year deal, the Welsh outfit further enhanced their position as an established top-half Premier League side and Redknapp feels it’s potentially a real value-for-money deal.
“An excellent free transfer. Had he not wound down his contract at Marseille he would command a transfer fee of around £15million,” Redknapp explained.
“I know there were other clubs chasing this guy, 25, so for Swansea to get him is a big coup. He can play wide and come into the middle or right down the centre.”
“This is a deal that if it comes off it could prove one of the best value-for-money transfers of the entire summer without capturing massive headlines,” he added.
While not quite as imposing as Wilfried Bony, Swansea’s new signing is a powerful forward who can chip in with goals and provide superb link-up player with the midfielders.
The Welsh outfit have made good use of the French market in recent years, but Ayew’s arrival is arguably the most high-profile owing to his experience at the very top level.
A 25-year-old Ghana international forward with Champions League football under his belt, one solid season for Ayew in the English top-flight could cause his price tag soar.