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Page last updated at 06:40 GMT, Friday, 31 July 2009 07:40 UK

Sousa steps up Swans striker hunt

Paulo Sousa
Boss Paulo Sousa wants to strengthen Swansea's squad for the new season

Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa says there is still a chance of signing Ipswich striker Pablo Counago.

The two clubs had agreed a fee for Counago, before the Spaniard turned down the chance to move to south Wales.

But Sousa believes a deal can still be struck saying: "Everything can be possible in football life, it can change very easily."

Sousa has also refused to rule out a double swoop for Southampton duo Marek Saganowski and Grzegorz Rasiak.

"We've talked with them and we've talked also with other players," Sousa added.

"It can be both, it can be only one, it can be others."

League One side Southampton are prepared to let Saganowski, 30, and Rasiak, also 30, go for the right fee.

A striker is Sousa's number-one priority following the departure of top scorer Jason Scotland to Wigan for £2m.

And he is optimistic of making a signing before the 8 August season opener away at Leicester City.

606: DEBATE

"I hope so," said Sousa. "If not we have all of August to find the right player.

"The sooner they come the easier it is for him to adapt to our ideas and identity and fight for a position like the others.

"The most important thing to have is desire and hunger from the player and ambition to play in our squad, because it's not easy to play in our squad.

"We are trying to get a good deal for the club, for myself, for the player and for the club he represents."

So, far Sousa has brought in midfielder Jordi Lopez from Queens Park Rangers.

Lopez joins Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie and Southampton winger Nathan Dyer as Swansea's other summer signings, brought in before previous manager Roberto Martinez left to take over at Wigan.

Sousa is looking to strengthen other positions but confirmed that he will cut his squad by the middle of next week, with around 10 players being free to leave and some being sent out on loan.

"I expect to have 24 or 25 players and the others to make the best decision for them," he said.



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see also
Swans in no rush to find striker
29 Jul 09 |  Swansea
Counago snubs Swansea overtures
25 Jul 09 |  Swansea
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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