Mawson: Swansea players surprised by Sanches signing

The 20-year-old joined the Swans on a season-long loan in one of the more surprising moves of this summer's transfer window.

The youngster had been heavily linked with moves to Inter Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea but it was Paul Clement who won the race for his signature, having worked with the player when he was Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Bayern.

Sanches joined the Bavarians last summer for £27.5m as one of the monst highly-rated miefielders in world football but made just nine starts last season and grew frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the Allianz Arena.

Speaking to 'Premier League Daily' Swansea defender Alfie Mawson said that the player's move to South Wales surprised the Swans' squad.

"Some of us may have thought 'is it really going to go through? Is it nonsense?' You never know so until it all got confirmed it was just 'that will be a good signing if we can pull it off,' he explained.

"Fair play to the manager, the chairman and the owners for pulling that off. They got that one over the line and I think he's going to be a really big asset for us."

"We know the quality he possesses, he's shown that especially for Portugal. At Bayern he didn't get as many games I'm sure he would have liked, but he's come to Swansea and he's going to get the opportunity to play."

Mawson also said that he couldn't wait to get to work with fan-favourite Wilfried Bony who returned to the club from Manchester City on deadline day. 

All I've heard is that he's [Bony] an absolute beast in training and in games," said Mawson.

"The dressing room love him, Swansea love him, he's going to be welcomed back with open arms and I know he's going to score us goals."