Players Swansea could sign with Monk wanting to add “quality” in the summer

Garry Monk is reportedly looking to add “five or six quality players” to his squad this summer, following a campaign which has, admittedly exceeded the expectations of everyone, except perhaps Monk.

“A lot of people will be expecting me to fail,” he was quoted as saying at the start of the campaign.

Nine months on, after nearly his first full season in management, Swansea, under his stewardship have taken 12 points off Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Swans could still finish in sixth; an incredible achievement for a team with limited resources, though due to Monk’s meticulous planning, attention detail and sharp tactical brain, they have put themselves in a promising position for next term.

With the departure of Wilfried Bony to Manchester City in January, this could have caused lesser boss’s problems, though Monk, a great man-manager, simply put an arm around then misfiring centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis, and the Frenchman emerged from Bony’s shadow to great effect.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has also been effective this term, having joined from Tottenham in the summer and it is this kind of player that Monk will be looking for. The Icelandic international has flourished when fit this term, responsible for 10 assists and six goals.

In light of their impressive campaign, we take a look three players who Monk might be looking to add to his squad in the summer.

Luc Castaignos
FC Twente’s highly-rated Dutch striker would add an abundance of quality to Swansea’s attacking third. The 22-year-old has struck 14 times this season and the South Wales club are said to be in advanced negotiations with Dutch outfit over a possible deal.

With just one year left on his contract, Castaignos could be available for as little as £2m, which would barely eat into the Swans’ allotted transfer budget, which is likely to be partly supplemented by the £28m they received for Bony.

Terence Kongolo
Staying Dutch, and it is Netherlands U-21 centre back Kongolo, who Monk may decide to turn, to add more steel in his defence. Plying his trade at Feyenoord, he is said to represent the future of the national team, and will likely play a prominent part in future international tournaments.

Jota
Brentford’s Spanish midfielder will be in demand following the Championship club’s exit from the play-offs, and the talented, 23-year-old has scored 11 goals this season.

However, there are a number of clubs circling including Championship champions Bournemouth and Leicester City, though Monk will be confident of prising Jota away from the London club for a fee that shouldn’t exceed £5m.