Former Bristol City star unhappy at Swansea City over contract dispute - two Championship clubs interested

Jamie Paterson could be set for a departure from Swansea City, just six months after joining the club from Bristol City.

After five years of service, Paterson, was allowed to leave Ashton Gate on a free transfer after Nigel Pearson and the City board trimmed the first-team squad as part of a cost-cutting excercise

Since his exit, he has excelled at the Swans this season, though his current side currently trail City by points in the division.

The 30-year-old has scored eight goals and assisted a further four in 21 appearances, making him directly involved in almost half of Swansea’s goals.

His performances haven’t gone amiss as the Swans invoked the one-year extension clause in his contract four games early.

For some, the renewal of a contract shows loyalty in a player, but instead this has caused issues, so much so that the midfielder could leave the club.

A report from BBC Wales Sport said that Paterson’s representatives instructed the club that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play on the weekend.

He was absent in the Welsh team’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield United on Saturday and more information has now come to light.

The report says that at least two Championship rivals, with one expected to be West Bromwich Albion, are ready to pounce should the player want to leave the Swansea.com Stadium.

Another report from The Athletic says that with the extension, he was expecting an increase in his wages given his influence in the team this season.

It adds that he is earning less than a majority of other first-team members this season, despite being one of their best performing players.

Those close to the club are doubtful that he will return to the first-team and with two weeks left of the January transfer window, what once looked like a secure future could now be a completely different story.

That would open up the opportunity for a club to come forward and take Paterson from Swansea but they would have to exchange a fee.