Michael Laudrup assures Swansea City fans — we are here to stay
MICHAEL Laudrup has suggested it would take £30 million to prise Michu away from Swansea City in January.
And the Swansea boss has also played down talk that he could be poached by a rival club — just like his three predecessors at the Liberty — if his team continue to shine in the Premier League.
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"We are not going anywhere," Laudrup declared.
The Dane has been pressed on his own future amid fears that Swansea's success could see him targeted by other clubs.
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And he has also faced a barrage of questions about Michu, the £2.2 million summer signing who is one of the most talked about players in the top flight right now.
Swansea's 11-goal leading scorer has been touted as a potential target for the likes of Arsenal and Napoli in the last few days after his sensational start to life on these shores.
"I have read about Michu this week and you ask about me, but we are here," Laudrup added.
"I am very happy here and I think Michu is happy here as well, so we just have to continue working.
"I know the reason why people talk, and that is because things are positive for the club right now.
"But we have to maintain focus. We can't start talking about what might happen next summer or whenever, we have to focus on what's happening right now."
Laudrup suggested when Swansea landed Michu from cash-strapped Rayo Vallecano in July that he would prove to be a bargain.
That looks an understatement now, for the 26-year-old is the joint leading scorer in the Premier League alongside Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Demba Ba — and that is despite the fact that he is happiest in midfield. And Laudrup has indicated that he believes Michu is worth around twice the £15 million Swansea received for Joe Allen earlier this year.
"Everybody talks about Michu right now and I understand that," Laudrup said.
"He is up there with Suarez and van Persie and a lot of clubs would like to sign him.
"I don't want to let him go, but obviously you can get an offer that is so big you have to accept it.
"But I really don't think anyone is going to pay so much money for him.
"I don't want to say the exact figure, but you have a good idea what Liverpool paid for Joe Allen.
"If they have to pay double for Michu — well there are very few clubs who could afford that. Joe is a very talented midfield player, so imagine what the cost would be for the top scorer in the Premier League."
If Michu's current form continues, there are sure to be more stories about a possible transfer in the lead-up to the winter transfer window.
But Laudrup stressed: "I don't worry about January because I don't think anyone will come in with the money Michu is worth so he will stay here.
"Obviously everybody wants to play at the best clubs so they can try the Champions League or whatever. If that should happen, if a club at that level pay the amounts we are talking about and the player wants to go, then you cannot do anything.
"But unless that happens, I don't see a problem.
"Michu's record so far this season is fantastic and we are just happy that we have a player who can score important goals."
Michu could spearhead Swansea once more against Norwich City tomorrow having started as their attacking midfielder in the win at Arsenal last weekend.
When asked about his own future, Laudrup added: "I am here, I have a contract, I am enjoying it and I want to stay here. All these questions now are because things are going well, but we just have to think about Norwich."
Comments
by KP287
Friday, December 07 2012, 11:35PM
“Anyone remember Gylfi Sigurdsson being touted as the buy of the season last year? He left Swansea for a bigger club and to say he has performed average would probably be a bit generous. So for any player thinking of leaving Swansea for bigger and better times, think hard there are a number of players who thought the grass was greener! Unless of course it was just for the money!!!”
by CroJack
Friday, December 07 2012, 7:30PM
“BBC: "Michael, are you enjoying your life in England?"
Laudrup: "Well, I live in Wales, not in England."”
by Hadoken939485
Friday, December 07 2012, 5:22PM
“I dont think he will go in Jan, but if he does go, its nice to know there is a good price tag on his head so we are not left looking to fill a big gap with little or no money.
But no amount of money can buy a good spot, if you have a top class player like ML, its pretty obvious that he can look at a player and know if it he is good enough or not.
ML said Michu would be a bargain, and I think even he underestimated how much of one he would be, but its important to rememebr that like many players, they come to swansea city under the radar and accel here.
It does not mean they will elsewhere, every person excels in the right environment, most people are not fortunate enough to find that environment.”
by deaframbo4
Friday, December 07 2012, 3:58PM
“Picture of Michu above looks like the one in Scream film poster. He certainly frightens the living out of opposition defenders.
I don't think Michu will go in the January window but no one can predict what will happen next Summer. Hope both ML and Michu stay with us for as long as possible.”
by morton1947
Friday, December 07 2012, 3:53PM
“Well said Crojack”
by CroJack
Friday, December 07 2012, 3:48PM
“You can probably once in your lifetime be a main actor in a real fairytale.. Swansea is such a fairytale. Not big clubs ruled by oil money from Russia and Middle East, where everybody expects you to win, because you bought all the 'best' players in the world. It is all about David beating Goliath, and Harry Potter beating monsters from The Darkness.
Who is enjoying his life more now, Sinclair in Manchester City or Britton in Swansea? What is best, real or artificial joy? Sinclair may, by sitting on the bench, win Champions League next year with City, but nobody, except City's supporters, is going to have a bit of sympathy for such victory.
Michael Laudrup is aware thet he is living his fairytale right now, and I know that it means more to him than any manager post in any big club.”
by morton1947
Friday, December 07 2012, 2:07PM
“Sorry JackintheBox your comment may be tongue in cheek but he's not for sale especially to BR”
by jackinthebox
Friday, December 07 2012, 1:46PM
“Maybe in the case of Liverpool we could make an exception and accept £25m with Luis Suarez in Part Ex.”
by morton1947
Friday, December 07 2012, 9:19AM
“It's about time we started to play hardball so well done ML . . .we are here to stay and we need top class acquisitions like Michu to make it happen and even improve our presence in the Premiership.”