Swansea boss Paul Clement ready to raid Europe’s elite clubs for new players for next season
Clement looking to Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain as he wheels out his little black book for new Swans players
PAUL CLEMENT is ready to lean on his old friends at Europe's biggest clubs for new players to strengthen his Swansea squad.
Clement knows he needs to bring in a series of quality players to improve his squad after their narrow escape from relegation last season.
The Swans only just stayed up after a season-long slog near for the foot of the Premier League as Clement made the difference after replacing Bob Bradley.
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Now he wants to put his own stamp on the playing staff at the Liberty Stadium - and one of his options is to use his extensive black book at the elite teams in the game.
Clement gained extensive knowledge working under Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
And he still has excellent relationships with all those sides, which he aims to use when it comes to picking up players over the close season.
Clement told Wales Online: "You always try to use the contacts and the knowledge you have.
"I have contacts at all the clubs where I've worked - Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich - and they are really good people.
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"But it is not as easy as it sounds when you try to attract really good players from that level to a club like ours.
"The best chance would be a loan, or a young player and maybe that isn't the right answer."
Chelsea have a number of young players who could be farmed out on loan to Premier League clubs next season.
Striker Tammy Abraham impressed on loan with Bristol City last year and the Blues are tempted to see how he does with another top flight club.
Dominic Solanke is another who may be loaned out, as manager Antonio Conte looks to blood his players in senior football.
But one of Clement's biggest jobs this summer will be to persuade Gylfi Sigurdsson to stay with the Swans, amid serious interest from Everton.