Laudrup wants window shut before kick-off

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has joined the growing list of Premier League managers calling for the transfer window to close prior to the start of the season.

The Dane is preparing his side to face Romania’s Petrolul Ploiesti in the third qualifying round of the Europa League tonight, amid continuing speculation linking Michu and Ashley Williams with Arsenal.

Swansea have not received any offers for either player but the rumours are particularly unwelcome with the closure of the transfer window less than two weeks away.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho earlier this week stated their wish for managers to be able to start the season with a finalised squad, and Laudrup cannot understand why such a move would not have wholesale backing.

“It’s part of the game and as long as the rules are like that we get on with it,” he said.

“I went to the Premier League managers’ meeting last week and one of the questions asked was why we could not move the transfer deadline, what is the reason to have it close after we have started the season here and in Spain and Germany?

“The answer was that in the other big leagues there was not a lot of interest in moving it.

“I cannot understand why not, because every manager should be interested in having the deadline closed when they play the first game.”

Laudrup, who last week told Arsenal even a “ridiculous” offer would not be enough to prise Michu away from the Liberty Stadium, added: “It would do huge damage if we lose players of the quality of Michu and Ashley because we have to find replacements at the same level and we cannot do that too late.

“Because if I sell someone and try to buy someone else the next day, the price of your replacement goes higher, it’s inevitable.

“But it’s very close to this club’s deadline as far as selling anybody goes.”

Tonight’s opponents Petrolul Ploiesti are managed by former Romania international Cosmin Contra, who played under Laudrup at Getafe.

And Laudrup, whose side lost 4-1 at home to Manchester United on Saturday, is taking nothing for granted.

“We have to approach it as just the first half of the game, it means getting a good result which would be a win and, even better, a clean sheet” he said.