Vipotnik has scored 25 Swansea goals in all competitions this season, a huge step forward after he netted only seven times during the previous campaign.
That was Vipotnik’s first in Wales following his move from Bordeaux, with Swansea landing him on a free transfer thanks to the French club’s financial collapse.
Swansea have had plenty of failures in the transfer market in recent years, but the Vipotnik move looks extremely shrewd now.
The club’s hierarchy will also be relieved that they opted not to sell – in the end – amid serious interest in what would have been a cut-price deal last summer.
The fact that Vipotnik agreed an improved contract in March, meanwhile, strengthens Swansea’s hand going into the summer transfer window.
Vipotnik’s all-round contribution has improved during this campaign, though his goal tally is key to speculation over his future.
“A striker lives for goals so we are really happy for him,” Matos said in the wake of Swansea’s weekend draw at Norwich, when Vipotnik scored from the spot.
“Doing what he does [in terms of goalscoring] and [also] understanding that if he adds the pressing and counter-pressing to his game, he becomes a machine. I think that’s what he is doing now.”
