Sinclair eyes Liberty exit

Michael Laudrup will wait to assess the mood of want-away winger Scott Sinclair before naming him in Swansea's starting line-up for their opening game of the Premier League season tomorrow.

The Danish boss has confirmed that Sinclair, who played a central role in Great Britain's Olympic football squad this summer, has told Chairman Huw Jenkins he will not be signing a new contract to stay at the Liberty Stadium, the club which gave him the chance to re-ignite his career after opportunities dried up at boy-hood club Chelsea.

It is understood the England U21 international is holding out for a big-money move to Premiership Champions Manchester City, something Laudrup admitted is now a possibility.

"I don't know how official it is but there is interest," he said.

"Manchester City is the name that is always coming up but again I have not spoken to them."I don't know if it's official" said Laudrup.

"I have spoken to Scott and he confirmed what he said to the chairman, that he won't sign a new contract,"

"But he is here now and that's what important for me.

"You never know what will happen tomorrow or the day after but there is no point arguing about it, we have to get on with it.

"Until August 31 anything can happen.

"Of course there is interest from a big club in Scott but the only thing I care about in the short term is that it does not affect him for Saturday.

With one year left on his contract there will undoubtedly be a desire for Swansea to cash in on a player who played an important role in their elevation from the Championship and their subsequent season in the top flight.

But after their impressive debut season Dane Laudrup is under increasingly pressure to defy the financial odds and hold onto his star names.

Defenders Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor are the latest players to be linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.

There was some good news on the transfer front ahead of Laudrup's first competitive game of his tenure, against QPR, with the signing of Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley for a fee thought to be around £1 million pounds.

The 21 year old confirmed the move on his Twitter account: "Swansea deal complete. Very happy. Was an extremely tough decision for me to leave Arsenal, but felt time was right.

"Swansea offered me an opportunity. And I'm extremely excited to start my career here, will always be thankful to Arsenal for my education."

He added "Was the toughest decision of my life. But it is a permanent deal. And now I'm raring to go with Swansea."