The January transfer window is once again proving frustrating for Swansea City.
Brandon Cooper, Fin Stevens, Jordon Garrick and Nathanael Ogbeta have all left the club since the turn of the year while Michael Obafemi, Jamie Paterson and Morgan Whittaker are expected to move on prior to the 11pm deadline on January 31.
But the Swans have already missed out on a number of targets due to finances, and they are finding the going tough when it comes to bolstering their squad.
Indeed, dallying and withdrawing from lined up deals at the 11th hour has been a regular occurrence in transfer markets under the current ownership group over the years, and it is doing little to aid the club's promotion hopes this season.
"I don't know. I don't think so. I'd rather talk about today because literally nothing has changed since I last spoke to you," said Martin after the win at Sunderland when asked if the Swans were likely to make any signings imminently.
"We're probably further away from doing something than we were. That's where it is really."
It's understood Swansea and Millwall have both made bids for Chiedozie Ogbene this month, with Rotherham United standing firm to get the best price possible for the Republic of Ireland international.
As revealed by WalesOnline before the window opened, Ogbene is the club's top transfer target this month. The 25-year-old has not signed a new deal with the Millers, meaning he will be a free agent in the summer.
There is still the possibility that he remains with Rotherham for the remainder of the current season as Matt Taylor's side bid to preserve their Championship status, something they understandably believe is far more achievable with Ogbene in their ranks.
But there is also an acceptance from those in South Yorkshire that January represents their final chance to cash in on Ogbene - who has seven goals to his name so far this season.
Joe Gelhardt also has his admirers, with several Championship clubs rivalling Swansea for his loan signature from Leeds United this month.
Without Obafemi and Whittaker in the squad, Swansea's bench has desperately lacked a forward option since Martin started deploying Joel Piroe and Liam Cullen as a front two, hence the head coach's comments following the 3-1 win at Sunderland.
Now at the halfway stage of the window, Swansea are yet to make a signing, with all the signs showing for some time that business could once again be left late.
So with just three points separating Martin's men and the Championship's top six at present, the point that was regularly made in December remains entirely valid now. Swansea really are just a couple of players away from being genuine play-off contenders.
Time to get some deals over the line.
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