Swansea manager Roberto Martinez reveals that a Premier interest in Ferrie Bodde would have seen the midfielder depart Swansea

Roberto succeeded this week in keeping Ferrie at the Liberty - possibly against the odds - and revealed that a Premiership club's interest would have ended the Dutchman's spell here.

Ferrie signed a new contract at Swansea on Tuesday after a very public courting of the player by Derby County which involved their chairman declaring "Ferrie wants to play here" (before it was publicised anywhere) and "I know Ferrie is house hunting in Derby" (when it hadn't been stated anywhere)

But in a stark reminder to Derby that one season in the Premiership doesn't make a big club, Ferrie elected to try and live his dream as the best player in the Championship at Swansea rather than Pride Park.

Speaking to today's Wales on Sunday though Roberto admits that had interest followed from either West Brom or Middlesbrough as reported then he would have had a much harder task to hold onto the player who wants to play at the highest level.

He said "“If a Premiership club had come in, it would have been a different outcome – but that’s why Ferrie has made the football decision.

“I think everyone would agree if there was opportunity to go straight into the Premier it would have been a very different situation.

“But that didn’t happen and for Ferrie it was about playing in the Championship for a club that has given you everything in the past year, or going to a new set-up for just financial reasons.

“Some people would have taken that – Ferrie assessed the situation and realises the finances will come after showing what he can do with us.

“We are delighted he has made the right decision, but we know this is not the end.

“We don’t want Ferrie to be happy with where he is now.

“He needs to make sure he gets into the Holland squad in the next two years, needs to make sure he plays in the Premiership – hopefully for Swansea – in the next two years and that’s part of the development of his football career, and that’s why we we’re delighted.

“He deserved his new deal.

“When you sign players from abroad you need to see how they settle, and when they have, they are rewarded with new deals.

“It was the same for players who performed and were successful last year.

“It’s a normal thing and it’s within our structure.

“He had two years left and if we felt he’d kicked up a fuss we didn’t have to touch anything.

“He could have just stayed here for two years and been a part of the squad.

“But there was a compromise – a little reward from our side and Ferrie realising the value of his position at the club.

"Ferrie wants to be the best player in the Championship – and he wants to do it here.”

The saga was played out perfectly from a Swansea perspective with a definite price quoted after Derby first made it known they were interested and they held out despite all the contrived statements appearing on Sky Sports.   Internally it is very clear a different story was unfolding and what was being said in private was nowhere near matching what was being said in public.

And maybe Ferrie will one day realise his Premiership dream - hell, it could even be with Swansea.

Photo: Action Images

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