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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Russell Martin reveals outcome of Jake Silverstein's visit and the transfer position Swansea City now find themselves in

Russell Martin says Swansea City's transfer plans have not altered following the recent visit of Jake Silverstein.

The American - who is on the club's board of directors - was in south Wales for a spell in December, although it was cut short due to a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.

However, head coach Martin believes the Swans' owners will be happy with the transfer dealings made by the club so far this month.

And the 36-year-old has revealed the club are - with just one week left to go in the winter window - in a position to bring in further players having already seen eight players depart.

"It was about creating finance to then spend it on who we want in the squad," admitted Martin.

"When Jake was over, it was such a disrupted time. He was due to see five or six games and ended up seeing one, so really difficult times.

"Ideally he would have come and seen a lot more. Even in training we were limited on numbers a lot of the time.

"So it was tough, but we had loads of conversations when he was over and I'm sure he's relayed that back in America to the guys who we're in contact with weekly and daily.

"The bar was set and it hasn't changed very much. I think they're happy with the business we've done so far and I'm sure there'll be business to be done between now and the window closing.

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"We're in a position where we can do some players now. The priority now is not about lots of people going out, it's about making sure we identify the right ones to come in.

"If someone comes in for one of the players that we're happy to see play somewhere else then we'll have a discussion about it.

"But at the minute, everyone's here, everyone's training. The players who are here, there's nothing at this minute in time ongoing for them to go to, or we haven't discussed it with other clubs. But I'm sure that'll change.

"The window goes mental in the last week for some strange reason. It's football. Everyone leaves it really late and injuries etc.

"We'll just have to wait and see, but we're in a position now to go and get players in the positions that we want.

"We just don't want to bring them in for the sake of it, we'll try to get the right ones and sometimes that takes a bit of time."

Dan Williams, Steven Benda, Lewis Webb, Morgan Whittaker and Liam Cullen have all sealed loan exits this month while the defensive trio of Ethan Laird, Jake Bidwell and Rhys Williams are no longer at the club.

Only Andy Fisher, Cyrus Christie and Hannes Wolf have come in through the door, although Kyle Joseph has been recalled from his loan spell with Cheltenham Town.

It's understood Martin remains eager to add a left wing-back and a striker to his ranks while a creative player could also be desired depending on the situation of Jamie Paterson.

And as far as further outgoings are concerned, Jay Fulton, Yan Dhanda and Paterson are the only remaining players who could realistically leave the club in the final days of the transfer window.

But Swansea's failed pursuit of Matt O'Riley from MK Dons fully highlighted the lack of transfer funds available at present.

And it has meant the club will delve into the loan market in the coming days.

"The priority for us is trying to do long-term permanent deals if we can, but that's dictated by finances and situations," said Martin.

"We have to be open to loan signings, but even then, it's loan signings that may be a part of it next year.

"People like Cyrus who is out of contract who will hopefully impress enough and likes us enough that something might come beyond that. So that's what we're trying to do, even with the loans.

"Hannes is a different one because he's an exceptional circumstance. Sometimes you just get offered players who you wouldn't usually and they can make a big difference to your team, and he's one of them.

"I think we would have been crazy not to take him. We have him and Cyrus on loan which leaves three spaces. I don't know if we'll use all of them, but we have to be open to loan deals."

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, MK Dons defender Harry Darling and Sunderland striker Ross Stewart are all admired by Martin.

However, money - or rather a lack of it - will once again dictate what business the club can actually do throughout the remainder of January, meaning some pursuits will need to be put on the back burner until the summer.

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