Clement: We can be stronger without Gylfi

Paul Clement believes Swansea City can become stronger without Gylfi Sigurdsson if they land the right signings this month.

The Swans play their first home game of the new season when Manchester United come to South West Wales on Saturday.

But much of the talk in the lead-up to the United clash is about how the Swans will deal with Sigurdsson’s departure.

The Iceland star this week completed a club-record breaking move to Everton.

And though Clement acknowledges that Sigurdsson leaves a significant gap in his squad, the Swans manager reckons there are grounds for optimism.

“It’s a big challenge to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson, there’s no question about that,” Clement said.

“But what we hope to be able to do is bring in two or three players who will strengthen our squad in various positions. It’s not just going to be one for one.

“My message to the supporters would be that the club wants to move forward.

“We want to improve our playing squad and our style and we want to win more games.

“We believe that with the funds we have available as a result of Gylfi’s transfer, we can strengthen our squad and become a better team.”

Sigurdsson’s exit came as no surprise to Clement, who has anticipated for some time that Everton would eventually secure a deal to take the attacking midfielder to Goodison Park.

As a result, the Swans hierarchy already have a good idea about how they want to reinvest the Sigurdsson money.

“I was quite clear in my mind that this would eventually happen, so I made up my mind that I had to plan for life without Gylfi,” Clement added.

“I was on the phone last night for a good amount of time to the owners and the chairman about what we are going to do.

“There are discussions going on about the players we could bring to the club.

“We have multiple targets. You have to do that because you can have one player in mind but it doesn’t come off because the club don’t want to sell or the price is too high.

“Clearly it is important that we move swiftly because there are only two weeks to go in the window, but we are not going to panic.

“Sometimes the best deals are available in the last few days (of the window). There’s a good chance that one or two things might go right up to the deadline, while one or two may not.”

The Swans have already been linked with a host of players following the Sigurdsson move, but Clement has refused to discuss specific targets.

He did confirm, however, that the Swans could be in the market for three new signings.

“I would like three players if they are really good, if not two players who are really good and if not one player who is really good,” Clement said.

“I have spoken to the owners about where I think would be the ideal situations to deal with.

“The market is very fluid. You might be looking at two advanced players and one midfielder, but then two midfield players and one advanced player become the better option. We will have to see what happens.”