Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos is still hoping to add a couple of new recruits before the transfer window closes on September 1, with a centre-back and a midfielder near the top of his shopping list.
The Swans have already brought in six new faces this summer, but Matos has been tight-lipped on the club's dealings in the market and recently suggested there was still work to be done.
Matos on the market: 'A chess game in the middle of a storm'
Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Sheffield United at the weekend, Matos said: "I saw the Porto manager said something two or three weeks ago that the market now is like a chess game. I will say it is a chess game in the middle of a storm. So let's see how it goes, I don't know."
When pressed on how that chess game was going, he added: "It's still not check-mate!"
Defensive and midfield targets
A centre-back is likely to be a key priority, especially after Cameron Burgess suffered a potential season-ending Achilles injury. The sight of Ben Cabango limping off at the weekend may also have added fresh urgency to that search, although the seriousness of the Welsh international's issue isn't yet known.
Reports have suggested Wrexham's Conor Coady is someone Swansea have looked at, but those suggestions have been strongly dismissed by club insiders. Rangers' John Souttar has also been linked this summer.
In midfield, the club were reportedly keen on Valencia's Andre Almeida, although the player himself was less enthusiastic about the idea. The suggestion in the Spanish media is that he turned down the chance to move to south Wales. He remains a Valencia player and was on the bench for the La Liga side at the weekend against Celta Vigo, a side heavily tipped as favourites to sign him.
After that game, Celta's coach Claudio Giráldez said: "I have no news about it. As far as I know, he is a Valencia player. I greeted him like I do all the players on the opposing team, respecting the situation and the timing."
While Swansea hasn't been categorically ruled out, a move to Celta now appears the most likely outcome.
Ousseynou Fall Seck also looks set to stay in Europe, despite being keen on a move to the Swans. Sources in Denmark claimed the Swans had agreed a fee with Randers, believed to be in the region of £2m, but difficulties over securing a work permit have thrown the move into doubt. Toulouse and Eintracht Frankfurt are both believed to be pushing hard for the 19-year-old, and one of those destinations is now considered more likely.
Vipotnik's future and potential outgoings
On outgoings, Zan Vipotnik remains the main talking point. No one appears to have made a concrete move for the Slovenian since Hull City's rebuffed £10m offer earlier in the window. Swansea were understood to have been taken aback by the offer, which was well below their valuation of the striker, currently around £20m.
That price tag has so far repelled many potential suitors, and it remains to be seen if Swansea's stance will soften towards the end of the window. As things stand, there's little sign of that happening, and should Vipotnik stay, it would clearly be a huge boost to Matos, who also has Adam Idah and Ross Stewart.
Vipotnik is also happy to stay with the Swans as things stand.
The club are likely to listen to offers for Florian Bianchini, with Matos hinting earlier in the week that the winger's future may lie elsewhere. "I think it's important for him to find a place where he feels the value of his football. If it happens by leaving the club he leaves the club, if it doesn't happen then we need to speak and see what's best," he said.
Zeidane Inoussa's future also appears uncertain given his lack of involvement, but Matos has insisted the Swede remains part of his plans. "He's part of the squad. It's just with the possibilities we have at the moment, he was not in the squad for the first game [at Stoke]. Let's see for the next one," Matos said.
Ronald has also been linked with clubs elsewhere, including Premier League Coventry City, but as things stand there doesn't appear to be anything on the table in terms of concrete offers. Given the increase in competition in wide areas, Swansea might potentially have a decision to make if a good offer came their way.
