Swansea City's transfer plans are gathering momentum ahead of Tuesday's 11pm deadline, with a midfielder and a centre-back identified as the club's top priorities. Several names have been linked with both searches, and there are question marks over the futures of a couple of Swans stars, making exits possible in the coming days.
Midfielder search steps up
Having seemingly missed out on options such as Andre Almeida and Ousseynou Fall Seck, the Swans appear close to a breakthrough in their search for a new midfielder. Porto's Stephen Eustáquio, who captained Canada at the most recent World Cup, is an option they are working on, and there is some hope a move can be concluded soon.
However, the 29-year-old isn't the only midfielder to have been tipped for a move to SA1. Portuguese outlet Record has claimed the Swans have also made an offer for Alverca's Davy Gui. The 20-year-old plays in a similar position to Eustáquio - a six capable of moving into the number eight position if needed.
But sources in Portugal have told WalesOnline that while Swansea have indeed shown an interest, they are yet to make an offer. It's possible he was earmarked as a potential alternative to Eustáquio, although that suggestion hasn't been confirmed as of yet.
In any case, there's some pretty stern competition for his signature, with Lyon and Besiktas both holding discussions over a move. Their ability to offer European football, it's understood, is likely to be a huge pull.
Vipotnik set to stay?
Swansea's hopes of keeping Zan Vipotnik appear to have received a major boost in the last 24 hours. Hull City, the only side to have made any sort of bid so far this summer, are now reportedly closing in on another forward target.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Tigers are closing in on a move for Union Berlin's Ilyas Ansah, a development that would surely end any lingering interest in the Slovenian. Hull's bid of around £10m was around half of Swansea's valuation of their star striker, and that valuation has so far succeeded in keeping potential suitors at bay.
West Ham United, similarly keen admirers, have seemingly opted for former Swans man Joel Piroe, which in turn has perhaps cooled their own respective interest. Sporting have been touted by the Portuguese press as a possible destination in the event of Luis Suarez leaving, but at the time of writing there hasn't been any sort of discussion with the Lisbon-based side.
Indeed, there doesn't appear to be anything on the table from anyone at this stage, and there's an increasing feeling that Vipotnik is now likely to stay beyond Tuesday's deadline. One source has even rated the chances of him staying put as high as 90 per cent.
Should the Slovenian stay, the questions around how to keep all three strikers happy will only intensify. "It's about performance, nothing more," Matos said when quizzed on that point recently. "That doesn't change for striker, midfielder or winger. Who we use, when they are all in shape and on their best moment, it will depend on the opposition. When one is in a better moment than the other, then it's about us taking the best of that one and then we keep moving, like in all the positions."
Centre-back links played down
Meanwhile, Swansea sources have played down any possible interest in QPR centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter. Reports elsewhere had suggested the Swans were keen on the 28-year-old amid competition from Watford.
But while a move hasn't been categorically ruled out, insiders have expressed doubt over the links, although clearly a central defender is a key priority for Matos given the injury fears over Cameron Burgess and Ben Cabango. Swansea sources have been far more emphatic, however, in ruling out a move for Wrexham's Conor Coady, who was also tipped as a potential target in reports elsewhere.
