Boss admits Everton target could leave - but only on their terms

Swansea manager Paul Clement concedes the club would be willing to sell Gylfi Sigurdsson - but won’t be bullied into letting him go on the cheap.

Everton have held a long-standing interest in the Iceland midfielder, while Leicester were rumoured to have had a £40m bid turned down earlier this summer.

Reports over the weekend suggested Everton had agreed a fee in the region of £32m for the former Tottenham man.

But fresh reports on Monday suggested that a deal is a lot further away than initially thought, with Swansea rumoured to be demanding close to £50m.

Clement confirmed that there has been interest in Sigurdsson this summer.

The Swansea boss also admits for the first time that Sigurdsson could leave the Liberty Stadium before the transfer window closes.

However, the 27-year-old will only be sold at the right price.

Until then Clement insists it is business as usual, with the squad due to fly out to America for a pre-season tour on Thursday.

“I don’t have any news on Gylfi. All that I can say is that he has come back for pre-season training looking very motivated.

“He is training hard and straightaway he is at the top of all the statistics physically.

“I am planning for him to be here, but there is clearly some very strong interest in him. We will have to see what happens.”

“Gylfi has been an excellent player here. He has three years on his contract and if any business is going to be done, it will be done on the terms we want.

“The club recognised his contribution by giving him an extended contract last season. He was happy to stay on here.

“At the moment he is a Swansea player and we have to carry on looking at it that way.”

Swansea are understandably playing hardball with Everton and this statement is a very public shot across the Toffees’ bows.

Given Sigurdsson has three years left on his contract signed only last year, it’s clear Swansea hold all the aces.

The general consensus is the deal will eventually get done, but it is likely to cost Everton a hefty price.