CREWE are poised to offer Dennis Lawrence a permanent deal following his successful loan spell with the club, according to the defender's agent.
However, Lawrence is not currently under contract after the Swans released him at the end of the season.
His agent, Mike Berry, said Crewe were in pole position to secure Lawrence's signature after he held positive talks with Alex boss Gudjon Thordarson.
Berry claims Thordarson is keen to offer the Trinidad and Tobago international a deal, and he is now awaiting a formal offer from the club.
Berry said: "Crewe have been in contact to have a chat and Dennis is very keen to join the club because he enjoyed his time there and has a lot of respect for Gudjon Thordarson.
"We talked about a contract and they said they would come back to us within the next week."
"I would say Crewe have first refusal on him. The ball is now in their court."
Lawrence made almost 100 appearances for the Swans after playing more than 200 times for Wrexham during his five-and-a-half year spell with the Welsh outfit.
Lawrence's powerful performances at the heart of Crewe's defence could not prevent them from tumbling out League One this season. The defender suffered the same fate in his first season at Wrexham in 2001/02, but played a major part in helping them bounce back to League One at the first attempt.
Berry added: "Dennis was gutted to be involved in a relegation scrap last season and he would love to help Crewe get back into League One.
"He used to be in the army in Trinidad and is a real fighter."