Wayne Routledge Sold to Swansea City

Swansea City have confirmed on their official website that they have agreed to personal terms with Wayne Routledge, with the player set to have a medical on Tuesday.  The transfer fee between newly promoted Swansea and Newcastle has not been disclosed, though the rumored price is £2 million, (The Northern Echo) much more than the club's original valuation of £1 million.

Midfield is perhaps the one place on Newcastle's roster where there is a wealth of options for selection to Alan Pardew's team, and Routledge has for quite a while been surplus to requirements.  Routledge was a key player in Newcastle's promotion back to the Premier League in 2010, though by the time he joined the team in January their fate was not much in doubt.  He received some playing time for Chris Hughton in the top flight, though it was clear that he was never a top option and saw more time with the reserves than anybody before being loaned out.  Indeed, he joined the reserves on their trip to Holland last month rather than the first team, and he was never really considered a threat to crack the Starting XI for Pardew this year.

Earlier this summer rumors were that Routledge was headed to Queens Park Rangers following a loan spell there last season, but the deal fell through and he has been searching for a new team since then.  It looks as if he may find first team action with the Swans, which makes the deal a good one for all parties involved.  The Swans get a winger, Routledge gets to continue to play in the Premier League, and Newcastle gets a little bit of cash for a player they had little use for.  This is how transfers are supposed to work.