Swans launch Baptiste bid

Sky Sports understands Swansea City have joined the race for Alex Baptiste after making a bid for the Blackpool defender.

Blackpool defender attracting interest from several clubs

Sky Sports understands Swansea City have joined the race for Alex Baptiste after making a bid for the Blackpool defender. The 26-year-old has established himself as a key member of the Blackpool side since arriving from Mansfield Town in 2008. Baptiste impressed during their maiden season in the Premier League in 2010/11 and he was also instrumental in Ian Holloway's men reaching the Championship play-off final last term. Swansea are now understood to have made an attempt to offer Baptiste a return to the top flight as Michael Laudrup continues to put his own stamp on his squad. However, a number of other clubs are also thought to be monitoring Baptiste's situation at Bloomfield Road with the defender entering the final year of his contract. The Swans' Premier League rivals Wigan Athletic showed an interest earlier in the summer, while Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are also reported to be keen. Baptiste scored in the Seasiders' opening game of this season as the club suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat by Morecambe in the Capital One Cup last weekend.