Russell Martin admits he would love to have Joe Allen, Cyrus Christie and Hannes Wolf in his Swansea City squad next season but admits finances could prove to be a significant stumbling block.
Wolf and Christie both excelled in the second-half of the Championship season after joining on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Fulham respectively in January. Both players featured for the Swans in the final day defeat to Queens Park Rangers in what could well be their final appearances for the club.
And while Martin is desperate to see the pair return next season, the head coach is not confident that the Swans will have the funds necessary to do so.
Read more: Swansea City hold talks with Joe Allen over stunning return to club
"They both want to stay," he said about the pair. "It'll come down to finances. Both have sacrificed finance this year to come which shows their character.
"We'll need to do it again and I'm not convinced we'll get to where we need to get to. We'll have to really look at it and make a decision on that really soon on how far we're willing to go.
"Hannes really wants to stay. I thought he'd use this to kick-start his career then go back to Gladbach and really force his way back in there, but he feels he maybe doesn't have the future he would like there.
"He's enjoyed it that much, he spoke about the supporters yesterday and he's never had that experience. He's really enjoyed it which is great for us. But I'm not sure we'll be able to do it. I'd love to but I'm just not sure."
Meanwhile, WalesOnline exclusively revealed Wales star Allen is firmly on Swansea's transfer wish list. You can read the full story here. The 32-year-old's Stoke City contract has expired, meaning he is now a free agent.
It's understood Swansea have already held talks with Allen - who is thought to be keen on a return to his boyhood club. And Martin admits he's a huge admirer of the 70-cap Wales international.
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“Brilliant player, brilliant character. I watched him for Wales recently," explained Martin. "He was excellent, the way he spoke to other players as well.
“He loves this club, I love him as a player. I will say it. I would love to [sign him]. We’ll have to wait and see.
“It will depend on a lot of things. We have a lot of midfielders at the club. We have some midfielders that haven’t played very much.
“People are going to have to leave for people to come in. But Joe is someone who would fit here perfectly. He knows the club, the club knows him.
“I am sure he has got plenty of offers and I am sure at some point we will sit down and have a chat about him."
The Swans signed off their debut campaign under the current coaching staff with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Andre Gray struck the winner 10 minutes from time in south Wales as Swansea's five-game unbeaten home run was ended. You can read the match report here.
It meant Swansea finished the 2021/22 Championship season in 15th place having collected 61 points. And Martin could not hide his disappointment with the manner of his side's final day defeat to Mark Warburton's men.
"It's a really disappointing way to finish the season," said the head coach. "A few too many players in self preservation mode, a few players who are unsure of their future here maybe. So it's a bit frustrating.
"We score a goal that's onside, it gets given offside. That maybe changes the game and sparks it into life but I was surprised by the feeling around the place in the first-half. I was disappointed in the performance and that transmitted to the supporters as well.
"Second-half I really liked us until we conceded. We should have scored a couple of goals. I thought we were dominating and then the goal. It's so basic. If Lats [Joel Latibeaudiere] is still on the pitch we don't concede that goal."
