Wayne Veysey

Fri 14 April 2023 12:34, UK

Swansea City are favourites to sign Exeter City star Josh Key this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Play-off chasers Blackburn Rovers are also keeping tabs on the 23-year-old after his impressive 2022-23 campaign.

Right-back Key is out of contract at Exeter in June, but the Devon side are keen to keep him at St James Park.

The League One club have offered the defender a contract extension.

Key has turned out 43 times across all competitions, including 37 league appearances, and has notched three goals and one assist.

He has proved a versatile option for The Grecians this season, playing at right-back, in midfield, at centre-back – and on the left flank.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Exeter, has racked up 143 appearances for the south-west club since making his debut in 2018.

Key was a crucial part of the side which earned promotion from League Two as runners-up in the 2021-22 campaign.

This season, Exeter City sit 12th in the third tier and have no chance of making the play-offs.

Swansea sit 14th in the Championship after a disappointing campaign – and have also been practically eliminated from play-off contention.

Natural centre-backs Joel Latibeaudiere and Harry Darling have been playing on the right side of the Swans’ defence in their recent outings.

Blackburn are sixth in the second tier and can strengthen their promotion credentials with a win over Hull City on Saturday (14 April).

Joe Rankin-Costello has made the right-back berth his own this season after being drafted in during the intensive festive schedule.

In other news, Newcastle have “concrete” interest in Championship star.