According to reports on Wales Online, Everton, West Ham United and Newcastle United have been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign Swansea City star Gylfi Sigurdsson after he hinted that he would be happy to stay with the Welsh club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Premier League trio have already been linked with adding the 27-year-old to their squads following another impressive season for the Iceland international at the Liberty Stadium.

He scored nine goals – and provided a further 13 assists – to help the Swans secure their top flight status for another year in a campaign that often looked to be leading towards certain relegation to the Championship.

A story on Sky Sports last week had suggested that the playmaker would be available for £25m this summer, but after winning both the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season at the annual club awards on Wednesday night, his comments suggest that he would be happy to remain with Paul Clement’s side.

What did he say?

Speaking after picking up his duo of awards, Sigurdsson said: “I expect to stay. I signed a new contract last summer and I’ve got three years left, so it’s down to the club if they want to sell me. It’s down to them, but I’m very happy here.

“I’m not trying to leave, not desperate to go or anything. It’s not like I want to go, it’s just very calm and I’m not focused or concentrating on what people are writing.”

How much should be read into those comments?

It’s difficult to say.

It’s obvious that a player isn’t going to come out at an awards ceremony and say that he wants to leave.

On the other hand he didn’t have to say much on the matter, but instead he gave a strong answer which would suggest that he could be ready to stay and work under Paul Clement next season.

Would Swansea sell him?

They won’t want to and Clement would surely be furious if he left, but money talks in the modern game.

If the Swans received an offer of more than £30m they would surely have to consider it, in order to make sure the club continues to be run as well as it has been since they were promoted to the Premier League.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, while the quotes from the player were defiant, Everton boss Ronald Koeman will know that he can offer Sigurdsson European football and a regular spot in his side next season – similarly to West Ham and Newcastle – and it is doubtful that this is the last we will hear about the Iceland international this summer.

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