Michael Laudrup: Swansea City are in no rush to bring players in

MICHAEL Laudrup insists Swansea City are in no rush to bring in new signings during the January transfer window.

Swansea have been linked with moves for several players this month, including Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, Real Betis midfielder Jose Canas and Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas.

But Laudrup revealed no-one is close to arriving at the Liberty.

And he says Swansea are prepared to wait until the summer to bring in targets if they cannot agree satisfactory deals now.

“After February we will only be playing weekends, although I hope there will be one midweek game if we make the Capital One Cup final,” said the Dane.

“It may happen that we just say we can wait until the summer.

“We don’t desperately need someone to come in by January 31 because from that date on we are only playing on weekends.

“It is possible that something will happen, but I will not be the one saying ‘we need someone in’ with only two days of the window left.

“We have some plans, but if they don’t come off now, we can wait until the summer.”

Betis are thought to want around £1 million for Canas, who is out of contract in the summer when he would be available on a free transfer.

There are reports that Swansea have a pre-contract agreement to sign the defensive midfielder on June 30.

Laudrup is thought to want to bring him in sooner, but Betis are not prepared to let the 25-year-old go on the cheap.

Aspas has also said he will remain at Celta Vigo at least until the end of the season.

Laudrup appears more concerned with moving players out rather than bringing them in.

He stressed his desire for a streamlined squad in the summer and believes Swansea are still carrying too many bodies.

“The players who have come in have done well and that is very important for the squad, but there are still players who have not played like Mark Gower, Jazz Richards, Leroy Lita and, in the last few games Luke Moore,” said Laudrup.

“There are still three or four who are not playing. I don’t like to have too many players. You have to find a balance but I like as few as possible so everyone feels important.

“Some of the players are not happy because they are not even in the squad, they are not travelling.

“They work hard every day, they are professional but then their names are not on the list even when we play seven games in three weeks which means our squad is too big and has to be less.

“I don’t like to leave the same three or four out as everyone wants to play but I have to pick the players who are best in the moment.”

Danny Graham continues to be linked with a move away from the Liberty, with Sunderland said to be leading the chase for his signature.

And Michu has been the subject of mounting speculation after making such a dramatic impact during his first five months in English football.

But Swansea’s boss revealed the club has received no formal approach for any player.

“I have not had an offer from a club for us to say yes or no to. We have not got that,” added Laudrup.

“Danny is a good player, he is scoring goals and we are in the transfer window.

“But my experience is there are a lot of talks and rumours in the first three-and-a-half weeks and a few things get done.

“But then in the last few days or even in the last ten hours everything happens. It is like a final sale at the shops so I think it will be the same here, a lot of rumours and talks and then things will get done in the final days.”