Michael Laudrup: Welcomes Swansea transfer business
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Michael Laudrup says summer strengthening was vital at Swansea as he revealed he turned down job offers from big clubs.
The Dane's role at the Liberty Stadium was cast into doubt last month, reportedly due to a dispute over transfer funds.
Swans chairman Huw Jenkins was involved in a war of words with Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu which resulted in the latter being cut off from transfer negotiations.
While Laudrup insists his own working relationships with both men remain unchanged, the row has been followed by an increase in arrivals in south Wales. On Tuesday, a deal was agreed to sign striker Wilfried Bony for a fee of around £13million from Vitesse Arnhem, making him the sixth new face at Swansea this summer.
Laudrup has suggested there were frustrations behind the scenes but insists the problems were not down to his transfer budget, but rather getting a consensus that Swansea needed to go on a recruitment drive.
"The board have delivered on signings," Laudrup told the South Wales Echo.
"We achieved so much last season, but just to maintain that position we had to improve."
Michael Laudrup
"But it wasn't about saying I wanted this, this and this. Or I want £18m, £21m or £24m.
"It was about knowing we had to strengthen our team.
"We achieved so much last season, but just to maintain that position we had to improve.
"We've bought in the right standard of player."
Big clubs
While the dispute was raging, Laudrup was being linked with a host of top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Fenerbahce. However, he insists he was never going to leave having extended his contract by another year in March and was focused on the 2013/14 campaign, in which Swansea will play in the UEFA Europa League.
"Yes, there were clubs - a couple of big ones as well - who wanted me," he added.
"But it never became anything more than that. As I've said and confirmed many times, I wanted to stay and I told players when they asked me before they extended their contracts.
"I didn't want to run away from that.
"It's normal after a season which was good for everybody that there is a lot of interest and eyes on all of us - domestically and internationally.
"But I didn't have to speak to anyone because I want to stay here. Please, never again ask me about my future - it's a waste of time."
Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11731/8815849/Swansea-signing-spree-delights-in-demand-boss-Michael-Laudrup