Laudrup leaves Spain to look to West Brom for next Swansea target
Published:Spanish knowledge has been pivotal to Michael Laudrup’s first three Premier League signings at Swansea, but he is aiming to remain in England with his next target from West Brom.
Michu has arrived from Rayo Vallecano, while fellow midfielder Jonathan de Guzman has come in on loan from Villarreal.
Defender Chico is the final current acquisition and although he was signed from Genoa, he spent last season on loan at Real Mallorca.
Next on Laudrup’s radar is another addition to his attacking options and Simon Cox would seemingly be allowed to leave West Brom.
Cox will find first-team opportunities hard to come by at the Hawthorns this season despite the introduction of new manager Steve Clarke, as he remains below Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie in the attacking pecking order.
Although he would be by no means a guaranteed starter at Swansea, there is no clear understudy to Danny Graham in the main striking role, with Leroy Lita and Luke Moore the current alternatives available to Laudrup.
Meanwhile, unlike this duo, Cox’ ability to also play wide provides another string to his bow, where he again offers a different option to dribbling trio Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge.
No offer is thought to have been made as yet for Cox from Swansea, although it is believed that Blackburn have had a bid of £2m refused for the player with just one year remaining on his present contract.
The opportunity to remain in the Premier League must give Swansea the edge on Blackburn even if a first-team place is less guaranteed and Laudrup has kept his spending to a minimum to date.
If Joe Allen does also complete an anticipated move to Liverpool, the money would almost certainly be available for Laudrup to bring in three squad members.
Swansea are 2/1 in the Premier League odds to be relegated this season, with West Brom 10/3 to finish in the bottom three.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
