Kabongo Tshimanga is expected to return to Peterborough United following the end of his loan spell at Swindon Town, as the League Two club grapples with financial constraints and limited negotiating power to retain the Congolese striker.
Swindon Town manager Ian Scott Holloway has spoken candidly about the club’s position, acknowledging the striker’s impressive impact during the season but conceding that the decision over his future lies beyond his control.
Tshimanga, who joined Swindon on loan at the start of the current campaign, has been a key figure for the Robins, contributing 12 goals and 3 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.
“He’s done a great job for us, and he’s a great human being,” Holloway told local media. “But he’s earning a lot more than we’re paying him now. I think he’s out of contract, so who’s going to want him after what he’s done for us? A lot of people.
Wouldn’t it be great if he came back and played for us? I’d love to, but I don’t have control over any of that.”
The 26-year-old forward arrived at Peterborough United in 2023 from Chesterfield in a deal worth €320,000, having scored an impressive 32 goals in 51 appearances over two seasons for the National League side.
However, his time at Peterborough has been marked by a lack of consistent first-team opportunities, prompting three successive loan moves in search of regular playing time and form.
Swindon have benefitted from that search, with Tshimanga quickly settling into the squad and becoming one of the side’s most consistent attacking threats.
His mobility, strength, and finishing have drawn praise from both fans and management, helping the club stay competitive despite an otherwise difficult season.
Yet, despite Tshimanga’s strong performances, Holloway and his staff remain realistic about the financial reality. The striker’s wages, largely covered by Peterborough during the loan spell, present a significant hurdle for a permanent deal.
With his contract reportedly nearing its end, interest from other clubs is expected to rise — and Swindon may find themselves priced out of the running.
Tshimanga’s loan success has reignited the kind of attention he attracted during his prolific spell at Chesterfield, and his contributions at the County Ground have not gone unnoticed by scouts across the lower divisions.
While a return to Peterborough is the most immediate outcome, whether he will remain there or move elsewhere permanently remains to be seen.
For Swindon, the potential loss of Tshimanga adds to the uncertainty heading into the summer, particularly with questions around squad rebuilding and budget planning.
Holloway’s admiration for the striker is clear, but as he noted, the ultimate decision lies with the parent club and the market that will likely form around a player in good form.
“I’d love to keep him,” Holloway reiterated. “But we’ll just have to see what happens next.”
