Cooper hopes to spend some Celina cash
STEVE Cooper hopes he is given some cash to spend in the summer transfer window following Bersant Celina’s departure from Swansea City.
The Kosovan joined French club Dijon on Wednesday for a fee just shy of £3m including add-ons.
Given the Swans’ financial situation, Cooper has been largely reliant on free transfers and loans during his time as head coach so far.
However, Cooper admits Swansea need to further bolster their squad ahead of what will be a packed 2020-21 season owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We wish Bersant well in his next challenge,” said Cooper.
“I guess the rationale behind the decision was that it was a football and a financial decision.
“Football-wise, me and Bersant had a good relationship and we talked a lot. He didn’t play too much at the latter end of last season. For him, he wanted to play more.
“I couldn’t guarantee the amount of games maybe he would have wanted. I’m not saying he wouldn’t have got them, but I wouldn’t guarantee it to anyone.
“The interest came from France and it felt like a good move for him.”
And when asked if he’ll get to reinvest any of the funds raised from the sale of Celina, Cooper responded: “I hope so. We definitely need some players, and some strength in depth.
“We are working on some things but nothing concrete at the moment. We’re certainly going to be bringing players in.
“I haven’t been told in black and white that I’ll be using Bersant’s money.
“We’re in a difficult financial situation, as are a lot of clubs because of the Covid-19 period and with no fans coming through the doors.
“We’re still being very careful because there’s no guarantees of when we’ll be back to normal and full revenue coming back into the stadium.
“We aren’t going to be buying loads of players but there is an opportunity to bring some in if the right deal is there to be done.”
Cooper has already added five players to his squad ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Freddie Woodman and Marc Guehi both rejoined the club on loan from Newcastle United and Chelsea respectively, while Morgan Gibbs-White will spend the campaign on loan with the Swans from Premier League outfit Wolves.
Swansea have also signed Jamal Lowe and Korey Smith on permanent deals, with both in line to make their league bows for the club at Preston tomorrow.
Cooper is still hopeful of adding to his ranks, with a striker and a centre-back being the main priorities on his transfer wish list.
But Cooper says that while he’s confident of adding to his squad, no deals, either in or out, are imminent.
“Nothing close on ins or outs. No news to report on any reported outs: [Matt] Grimes, [Andre] Ayew, nothing,” he added.
Swansea take on Preston at Deepdale this weekend in what will be their first game of the new Championship season.
George Byers is sidelined with a groin problem, although there are no other injury concerns for Swansea ahead of the trip to Lancashire.
“It’s going to be a tough game. It was last year,” explained the head coach.
“Preston are a really good outfit. They play a very aggressive style of football that can be hard to play against.
“They’re more or less the same squad as last year, which was a strong one anyway, you can see that with how they performed in the league.
“They’ve had a chance to continue with their good work so it is a tough game to get the campaign up and running. But we look forward to it and we’ll be ready for it.”