Too early to discuss future - Swansea's Vipotnik

"I scored my first goal early. I thought it will be easier [after that]. But at the end I saw how tough the league is.

"I'm thankful for the first season because I learned a lot. I think I grew a little bit, also in life - how you how you manage the falls when you fell down a little bit."

There was further trouble ahead.

This season began with Liam Cullen as Swansea's first-choice striker and Vipotnik on the bench.

When Adam Idah joined in a big-money deal from Celtic on deadline day last September, the idea was that he would be the club's frontline number nine.

But by then Vipotnik had made his mark, initially as a substitute and then after forcing his way into Alan Sheehan's starting side at the end of August.

Vipotnik's three goals in the first five games of the season convinced Swansea they must abandon plans to sell the Slovenia international before last summer's window closed.

Vipotnik acknowledges that the possibility of a transfer "was the talk" in the early weeks of the campaign.

"I won't say it was close, but we were finding the solutions because of what we heard from the people in the club," he adds.

"But at the end we said that we were going to try our luck to survive here.

"It was tough. I was at one point third choice, but they gave me the chance in the next one or two games and I scored in the first one, scored in the second one, scored in the third one. I stayed here and at the end of the season it was magical for me."

'The keepers are looking for the ball in the net'

Image caption,

Only Erling Haaland has scored more league goals than Zan Vipotnik in English football's top four divisions so far this season

In all, Vipotnik has scored 25 club goals this season – making him the first Swansea player to reach that landmark since Wilfried Bony in 2013-14 – as well as three for his country.

There have been numerous chances, therefore, to see Vipotnik's familiar celebration, with hands held in front of his eyes like a pair of binoculars.

What is the story behind the gesture?

"My agent had a joke that the keepers are looking for the ball in the net," Vipotnik says with a grin.

"I found it fun and now it's like a trademark. I like it."

What will the transfer window bring?

Vipotnik smiles again when talk inevitably turns to his future.

Last summer, Swansea seriously considered letting Vipotnik go amid interest from clubs on the Continent.

The picture is very different now. Vipotnik's stellar campaign has sent his transfer value rocketing, while the new contract he agreed in March means Swansea's hand will be significantly stronger in any summer transfer negotiations.

Nevertheless, the Swans are anticipating serious interest and it will be no shock should a deal be done.

Vipotnik has already been linked with clubs at the summit of the Championship and the lower end of the Premier League, while reports in Portugal have mentioned interest from such heavyweights as Benfica and Sporting CP.

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos accepts interest is inevitable, with Vipotnik's future resting on what concrete offers arrive when the window opens in mid-June.

For his part, Vipotnik says it is "always a pleasure" when clubs "have an eye on you" – but insists he has had no discussions with Swansea as yet about the possibility of a summer departure.

"I said I had dream when I was young to play in the in the best league in the world, the Premier League, and we're going to see what will happen," he adds.

"[But] it's too early to speak about. I need to say I'm thankful for the club. They gave me the new contract, they show me the project and I'm happy here."