Harry Darling issue mentioned as Swansea City warned over Ricardo Santos | OneFootball

FLW's Swansea City fan pundit believes the club should think twice about a move for the outgoing Bolton defender

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Swansea City have been issued a strong advice over signing ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Ricardo Santos this summer.

Football League World exclusively revealed that Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday have both submitted contract offers to Santos in a bid to bolster their squads ahead of the 2025-26 Championship season.

The 29-year-old exited Bolton after five years at the club, after seeing his role in the team greatly reduced last term. Previous manager Ian Evatt went as far as stripping the Portuguese centre-half of the club’s captaincy early in the 2024-25 campaign.

FLW’s Swansea City fan pundit, Will Hughes, believes the club should clarify what role Santos would play in the squad before signing the defender.

Swansea told to approach Ricardo Santos deal cautiously

“It would be a strange signing,” stated Will. “But at the same time, it depends on what role he would be offered at the club. If he was to be a main starter and the Harry Darling replacement, then that’s very strange, because he's not the answer.

“Swansea need to be spending decent money if we're going to replace Darling. If Santos comes in, and he is a backup, there’s no problem. But he can't be brought in to be a starter. So it all depends on what the club has got planned.

“A lot of Bolton fans weren’t overly enamoured with how his season went last year, and it isn’t a good look having the captaincy taken off you.

“I remember watching the 2024 League One play-off final, which was Oxford United versus Bolton. I recall him having a stinker. He was giving away silly fouls and passes weren't going to their destination, but that's just one game.

“Comparing what I've seen with what Bolton fans have been saying, it doesn't bode well. But anyone who comes in, I'm happy to give a chance.

“I don't think he can fill the boots that Darling will leave and there are a lot of other defenders out there that I think we could get that would definitely do the job. It's just a case of ensuring the club has got the targets in place and it is the adequate targets, not just a cheap option.”

Ricardo Santos will likely play a rotational role at his next club

Despite not having his contract at Bolton extended, it doesn’t look like the defender will be short of options this summer.

The second half of the most recent campaign was a struggle for the defender, who was suffering from a chronic pelvic injury and was subsequently absent from action for three months.

His start in a 4-1 loss away at Barnsley in April was the only time he played under Evatt's successor, Steven Schumacher.

Therefore, it would be surprising to see Santos play a more prevalent role at a club in the Championship, where more will be required of the centre-half physically.

This means that Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday are likely to have offered the 29-year-old a rotational role, looking to utilise Santos’ experience throughout a season more than his outright ability.