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Swansea have agreed a deal to sign Real Betis midfielder Jose Canas on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.
Canas’s impressive form this season helped Betis qualify for a Europa League play-off spot and persuaded Swansea boss Michael Laudrup to move for the Spaniard.
The 26-year-old’s switch to the Premier League will be ratified once the transfer window opens on July 1.
The midfielder, who is believed to have agreed a three-year contract, joins Swansea in the midst of controversy over the relationship between Laudrup and the club’s chairman Huw Jenkins.
There have been reports this week that Laudrup could be set to quit after Jenkins refused to give him a significantly increased transfer warchest despite the club’s successful campaign, which culminated with a League Cup final win over Bradford at Wembley.
However, Jenkins is keen to point out that, while he has not sat down with Laudrup since the final day of the season, it is not down to a rift between the pair and insisted “substantial” funds are available to strengthen the squad.
“Myself, the manager and our recruitment staff are all agreed on the quality of players we would like to sign to help us remain competitive in the Premier League,” Jenkins told the club website.
“We are continuing to work behind the scenes, in private wherever and whenever we can, to strengthen our squad.
“For that reason it’s disappointing that I have to respond to the speculation of unrest at the club after the fantastic season we have had.
“There are substantial funds available to strengthen our squad over the summer while we are also in the privileged position, because of the way we’ve managed our finances over the years, that we do not need to sell anyone to fund those new recruits.
“It is true that I have not sat down with our manager since the last game of the season against Fulham, but that’s because we have both been away on holidays at different times.
“It doesn’t mean we haven’t spoken because I’ve had numerous conversations with Michael over the phone and there’s been no difference of opinion on our original transfer targets.”
