Russell Martin admits it's inevitable that Swansea City will sell players this summer as the club bid to plug a financial gap.
The likes of Joel Piroe, Flynn Downes, Ben Cabango and Michael Obafemi are expected to attract interest in the transfer market as a result of their efforts under the current coaching regime this season. Top scorer Piroe - who has 24 goals to his name - is being closely monitored by Leicester City while Downes has received interest from Leeds United.
It comes as the club confirmed a pre-tax loss in their latest financial accounts, with Swansea no longer receiving Premier League parachute payments. You can read the full story on the accounts here. And head coach Martin says the documents published on Companies House serve as proof that departures are required.
Read more: Swansea City's painful position clearer than ever as owners speak out
When asked if it is inevitable Swansea will sell players this summer, Martin responded: "Yes. I don’t think there’s ever been a question about that. The club has to find a way to be sustainable, a club at this level with the size of club we are, everything we have, the only way to do it is to be supported by someone who wants to put their own money in and to do that.
"Traditionally that has been the way it is done and also causes a huge amount of problems when that person decides they no longer want to put money in. We were aware of that when we were brought in. It’s probably the reason we were brought in, to improve players. We’re well aware of that, every club outside the top four in the Premier League is a selling club.
"We don’t know how much we have yet, we know how much we need to try and bring in to the club. I don’t control that, there’s absolutely no point in me worrying about it. What will be will be.
"The ideal scenario is we don’t need to sell anyone and we can keep growing together, but I can't lie to you, you’ve seen it in the accounts, we’ll have to sell someone, or a number of people to get to the financial figure the owners want."
Despite the expected exits, Martin does not hold any concerns over his side's bid to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2022/23 season. The Swans are pursuing a number of targets, some of which will be replacing those who leave SA1.
And the head coach is fully confident that the Swans have planned sufficiently to ensure they will cope in the event that any particular position needs bolstering during the coming months.
Which player(s) do you think Swansea will sell this summer? Have your say in our comments section here.
"We’ll be ready for whatever happens," he added. "If players leave, we are ready. We have a succession plan for every position and every single player and that’s why we can stay calm amidst the noise and drama of the transfer window.
"If we are going to be a player trading club, let’s get it right, we spent not much money on Joel and Flynn and now they’re worth a lot. For the owners, it makes financial sense to allow us to have a little bit of money to try and do the same again."
Swansea have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their final fixture of the season against Queens Park Rangers. Cabango remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Kick-off in south Wales is at 12:30pm on Saturday.
