Leicester City are in advanced talks to sign Swansea City forward Liam Cullen, with BBC Sport reporting the Wales international is now expected to complete a permanent move to the Foxes.
The 27-year-old previously worked under current Leicester head coach Russell Martin during Martin’s spell at Swansea City between 2021 and 2023, and that existing relationship appears to be a key factor in the deal gathering pace.
According to BBC Sport, Cullen has two years remaining on his Swansea contract but is expected to seal a switch to Leicester City, who are set to play in League One.
Why Leicester want Cullen now
For Leicester, the attraction is clear: Cullen is a forward Martin knows intimately, both in terms of personality and tactical fit. At Swansea, Cullen was often asked to operate beyond a traditional penalty-box role, and BBC Sport notes his inability to become a regular starting number nine frequently saw him used in a deeper position.
That profile can suit a coach who values structure and coordinated pressing, particularly in a league where physicality and defensive organisation can dominate. A forward comfortable dropping into pockets, linking play and arriving late into scoring zones can be a useful solution in games where opponents sit deep and deny space behind.
It is also a move that suggests Leicester are looking for players who can adapt quickly to a coach’s demands rather than requiring a prolonged bedding-in period. Martin’s familiarity with Cullen reduces risk in recruitment, especially when the margin for error tightens in a promotion race.
Cullen’s Swansea record and Wales role
Cullen is a product of Swansea’s academy, having joined at the age of eight. BBC Sport reports he made his senior debut in August 2018 in a 1-0 EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace under Graham Potter.
He went on to score his first Swansea goal in a 4-1 win over Reading on the final day of the delayed 2019-20 season, a result that secured Steve Cooper’s side a Championship play-off place.
Across his Swansea career, Cullen has scored 36 goals in 194 appearances in all competitions, while at international level he has two goals in 15 caps for Wales, per BBC Sport. The report also notes he has been used in a deeper role for Wales under Craig Bellamy, mirroring the flexibility he has shown at club level.
Swansea’s attacking plans without Cullen
From Swansea’s perspective, moving on an academy-grown forward with two years still left on his deal is significant. But the BBC report frames the potential exit within a broader attacking reshuffle.
The Swans are hoping to retain last season’s Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik and to use former Celtic striker Adam Idah more consistently after what BBC Sport describes as an injury-hit debut campaign.
There has also been movement in wide and supporting areas. BBC Sport says Elijah Just and Moussa Yeo have been added this summer, with Yeo able to operate as an attacking midfielder as well. Further additions listed in the report include Stephen Welsh, Joseph Opoku and Leo Walta.
In that context, Cullen’s departure can be read as Swansea clearing space and budget for a forward line built around other profiles, while Leicester get a player who can perform multiple roles across the front line.
What happens next
BBC Sport describes the clubs as being in advanced talks, with Cullen expected to complete a permanent switch. No fee or contract length has been reported in the source material, and neither club has publicly confirmed the transfer at the time of writing.
If the move is completed, Cullen will arrive with a clear understanding of Martin’s expectations, which can be crucial in pre-season as coaches attempt to hardwire patterns of play and pressing triggers. For Swansea, the task becomes ensuring their recruitment and squad planning can replace Cullen’s link-up qualities, even if his minutes as a central striker were not always guaranteed.
Infographic-style stats block
Player: Liam Cullen
Age: 27
Club: Swansea City (talks ongoing with Leicester City)
Contract remaining: Two years (per BBC Sport)
Swansea record: 36 goals in 194 appearances (all competitions)
Wales record: 2 goals in 15 internationals
“Leicester City are in advanced talks to sign Swansea City forward Liam Cullen.”
— BBC Sport
- Status: Advanced talks; permanent move expected (BBC Sport)
- Key link: Cullen previously played under Russell Martin at Swansea
- League context: Leicester set for League One football
