By Wayne Veysey

3rd Jan, 2021 | 12:26pm

Exclusive: Swansea City in advanced talks to sign Southampton forward

Swansea City are in advanced talks to sign Southampton striker Michael Obafemi, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has given the 20-year-old the green light to leave St. Mary’s  on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Swansea are closing in on the capture of the centre-forward on a temporary deal.

Obafemi has featured just once in the Premier League this season, a 13-minute substitute appearance at Burnley in September.

The lack of game time will come as a disappointment to the Republic of Ireland international who contributed three goals and two assists in 21 league appearances last term.

The young striker has fallen down the pecking order at St. Mary’s of late, with Danny Ings, Che Adams, Shane Long, Theo Walcott and the young Dan N’Lundulu all preferred by Hasenhuttl.

The Swans believe Obafemi could have a similar impact at the Liberty Stadium to that of Rhian Brewster.

Brewster, who signed on loan from Liverpool in January 2020, scored 11 goals in 22 appearances for Steve Cooper’s side in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign.

The Swans are flying in the Championship this season, a 2-1 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Watford yesterday saw them climb to second in the table.

The Welsh side boast the best defence in the division, having conceded just 13 goals in 23 games this season.

Therefore, Steve Cooper will look at offensive reinforcements in the January window, with Obafemi one of the club’s top targets.

The Southampton striker has 18 months left on his contract at St. Mary’s.

In other news, top pundit claims Liverpool may have already landed ideal replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.