WELSH defender Neil Taylor will cap a remarkable rise from the Conference Premier to the Premier League should he sign for Newcastle United this summer.

Swansea City confirmed yesterday that the Magpies had firmed up their interest in the left-sided defender by making a £1m offer - which, it is believed, will trigger a release clause in the former Wrexham defender's contract.

Taylor signed for Swansea at the end of the 2009-10 season after three seasons with the Robins. He missed the Swans' 4-2 Championship play-off victory over Reading after being sent off in the semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest, and is a player that Swansea do not want to see leaving the Liberty Stadium.

Chairman Huw Jenkins said yesterday: "We have received a proposal from Newcastle regarding Neil, but it has not been accepted or rejected at this stage."

"We have received a number of bids for Neil's services and we will be talking it over with him when he returns from a break next week.

"Neil is a player we brought to the club this season from the Conference with Wrexham with a view to him progressing and developing with us over a number of years.

"The last thing on our minds is to sell anyone over the summer."

United manager Alan Pardew has told midfielder Alan Smith he can leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract.

Smith, signed from Manchester United by Sam Allardyce, played a pivotal role for the Magpies in their promotion from the Championship in 2009-10, but has found opportunities limited following the signing of Cheik Tiote.

n Swansea have confirmed the signing of striker Danny Graham from Watford for a club-record fee.

The Premier League new boys have splashed £3.5million on the 25-year-old from Chester-le-Street who is set to sign a four-year contract.

Graham, freed by Middlesbrough in 2007, was the top scorer in the npower Championship last season with 24 goals.

The deal for Graham remains subject to a medical, to be completed when the player returns from holiday.

A Swansea statement read: ‘‘The club has today agreed personal terms.

‘‘Graham will sign a four-year contract with an additional 15 per cent sell-on clause to Watford on any profit above the £3.5million.''

Carlisle will receive up to £500,000 as part of a sell-on clause when he moved to Watford.