Graham always number one, say Swansea

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says securing the services of Watford striker Danny Graham was manager Brendan Rodgers’ number-one priority.

Rodgers made enquiries about Graham earlier in the year, but the club could not meet Watford’s asking price until they had clinched promotion to the English Premier League with a 4-2 play-off final win over Reading on May 30.

Swansea finalised the 3.5 million-pound signing of Graham on Tuesday, and Jenkins said Rogers was delighted to have landed the 25-year-old on a four-year deal.

Former Middlesbrough forward Graham scored 24 goals in Watford’s 2010/11 Championship season.

“We were a little bit late starting things because being in the play-offs put us a month behind in our preparations,” Jenkins said.

“So we felt it was important, not so much in terms of making a statement, but to make sure we got in the right signing and completed it and we made sure Danny was our number one target.”

“He is a player we have admired for quite some time and he knew that. He’s someone we would have liked to have brought to the club earlier, but now we’re very, very pleased and excited to have brought him on board.”

“He likes the way we play football, he knows Brendan well and he’s thrilled to be coming to the Premier League as we are thrilled he’s joining us.”

“Danny’s spoken to Brendan at length and is looking forward to the challenge of the Premier League and Brendan is looking forward to working with him. There is no doubt he will strengthen our team for the new campaign.”

In other news, Swansea have received a bid from Newcastle United for Wales left-back Neil Taylor.

The 22-year-old made 30 appearances last season, and Jenkins said the club had received a number of queries about his availability.

“We have received a proposal from Newcastle regarding Neil,” Jenkins said. “But the proposal has not been accepted or rejected at this stage.”

“We have received a number of enquiries from different clubs for Neil’s services and, like all bids we receive for any of our players, we will be talking it over with him when he returns from a break next week.”