Carlos Carvalhal has admitted all this fishing for new players is leaving him feeling seasick.
The Swansea City manager is desperate to hook some new recruits and is hopeful at least one player might take the bait before Monday’s crucial clash at home to Liverpool.
Carvalhal has previously described his targets as “sardines” rather than “lobster” or “caviar” but as of Friday night he was still waiting for something to land in his net and the lack of a decent match is making him edgy.
Swansea are reportedly interested in bringing West Ham forward Andre Ayew back to the club, while Ajax winger Amin Younes is another rumoured target. They have also been ambitiously linked Atletico Madrid pair Nicolas Gaitan and Kevin Gameiro.
Carvalhal revealed that the club are in discussions to finalise their first deal, but he is cautious about negotiations breaking down.
“We are not far away on our part but negotiations are very hard with football players nowadays,” he said.
“The transfer window is a nightmare. Negotiations make me a little nervous because sometimes when you think that everything is sorted, there is another problem.
“But we are working hard so let’s see.”
Despite winning in Carvalhal’s first game in charge – and a run of just one defeat in his five games in charge – the Swans still sit bottom of the Premier League table after picking up just one point from their first two league games of 2018.
Carvalhal believes the team’s position is a deterrent to some potential signings.
He said: “Bringing the best players to Swansea in this moment is not easy because not all the players want to play in the team that are in the positions that we have.
“But we don’t give up. I won’t talk in specifics, but in general we will try to bring the best players with quality.”
Swansea host in-form Liverpool on Monday night, with the Reds unbeaten in their last 18 matches in all competitions and Carvalhal is fully aware that his side are huge underdogs for the game.
“We are here to be organised, to surprise them but understanding that it will be one of the more difficult games in the competition,” he said.
“Usually I say to my players, when you have one per cent chance you must have 100 per cent faith.
“The chances that we have are very small.
“It is kind of David against Goliath but surprises happen and we will be ready to try to prepare a surprise on Monday.”