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Page last updated at 06:54 GMT, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 07:54 UK

Jenkins expects Swans departures

Huw Jenkins
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins expects a busy few weeks ahead

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins admits the club could lose one or two players before the new season gets underway on 8 August.

Jenkins told BBC Wales that striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Ferrie Bodde both want to leave and are targets for Premier League sides.

"We've had Burnley interested in Jason Scotland but as of yet we've had no written offers in," Jenkins said.

"Bolton are interested in Ferrie Bodde and as things stand, that's how it is."

Jenkins added: "Bolton have verbally talked about things but there's been no written offer.

"Everybody else seems quite settled and looking forward to meeting the new manager [Paulo Sousa] and working with him.

"Our aim is to keep as much of our squad together as we can and we can give Paulo the chance to start off next season."

Jenkins admits keeping hold of Scotland would be his biggest battle, after the Trinidad and Tobago striker expressed an desire to play in the Premier League.

The Swans signed the 31-year-old from Scottish side St Johnstone for a bargain £25,000 in the summer of 2007 and he has gone on to score 53 goals in two seasons.

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"It is a concern," said Jenkins. "No doubt it's difficult to try and fill those shoes if he did leave.

"On the other hand, he's 31 years of age and he's expressed his wish that he would love to play in the Premier League.

"It's going to be very, very difficult for us to try and persuade him to stay but we will try and do that with the new manager's help."

Bodde, 26, made an instant impression following his £80,000 move from ADO Den Haag two years ago.

He handed in a transfer request last summer when Derby came in for him, but later changed his mind.

Bodde's displays at the start of last season saw the Dutchman tipped for a move to the Premier League before a knee injury in November ended his season.

But new boss Sousa is philosophical about departures.

"The life of the club is selling and buying players," the Portuguese said.

"Of course it's not easy to replace important players, but the most important thing is the club, not individual players.

"Each one needs to be committed and will help the club be bigger and bigger.

"We need to take decisions. We've identified already what kind of quality we need.

"We know what we want and if Scotland left us someone will come in to replace him."



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see also
Sousa confirmed as new Swans boss
23 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Sousa makes glittering entrance
23 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Dobbie's plea to striker Scotland
20 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Burnley bid for striker Scotland
19 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Swansea chief fears player loss
09 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Bodde opts to stay with Swansea
15 Jul 08 |  Swansea
Bodde hands in transfer request
02 Jun 08 |  Swansea
Dutchman Bodde signs for Swansea
13 Jun 07 |  Swansea
Swansea win Scotland work permit
04 Jul 07 |  Swansea
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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