Michael Laudrup: Shut the transfer window before season starts

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup believes that the transfer window should shut before the season starts. (Getty Images)

Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup is the latest Premier League manager to advocate the closing of the transfer window before the Premier League season starts.

Laudrup is preparing his side for the Europa League play-off match against Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti as media speculation continues to link striker Michu and centre-back Ashley Williams with moves to Arsenal.

Swansea have not received any offers but the rumours are an unwelcome distraction with the closure of the transfer window still 12 days away.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho both stated their wish, earlier this week, for the transfer window to be closed before the start of the season and Michael Laudrup is surprised that the idea does not have more support.

“It’s part of the game and as long as the rules are like that we get on with it,” he said.

“I went to the Premier League managers’ meeting last week and one of the questions asked was why we could not move the transfer deadline, what is the reason to have it close after we have started the season here and in Spainand Germany?

“The answer was that in the other big leagues there was not a lot of interest in moving it.

“I cannot understand why not, because every manager should be interested in having the deadline closed when they play the first game.”

Laudrup told Arsenal last week that even a ‘ridiculous’ offer would not make Swansea consider the sale of Michu, citing the lack of time left to replace the player as an issue.

“It would do huge damage if we lose players of the quality of Michu and Ashley because we have to find replacements at the same level and we cannot do that too late,” he said.

“Because if I sell someone and try to buy someone else the next day, the price of your replacement goes higher, it’s inevitable.

“But it’s very close to this club’s deadline as far as selling anybody goes.”