Swansea City transfer dossier: Swans must retain Sigurdsson and Ayew to avoid the drop

Swansea City endured a turbulent season in 2015-16 and as they look forward to the new campaign, there remains a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the club. Francesco Guidolin led the Swans to safety following the mid-season sacking of Garry Monk but it remains to be seen if he is the man to overhaul the squad this summer.

The club's hierarchy will be all-too-aware that they came within a whisker of slipping down to the Championship. And without some shrewd investments over the coming months, they risk the same fate in 2017.

Business so far

Swansea recently completed the sale of striker Eder to Lille for a fee believed to be £3.4m ($4.9m). The 28-year-old spent only one year at the Liberty Stadium, making just four starts and 11 substitute appearances during his time with the club. But having failed to score a goal for the Swans, his departure will be no great loss.

What they need

The job for the Swansea board this summer is two-fold: they must retain their best players, such as Ashley Williams and Gylfi Sigurdsson, and they must also add some much-needed quality to their ranks. However, achieving both of those ambitions is easier said than done.

Who could join?

The Swans have been linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, who has fallen out of favour at Anfield and may be attracted by the idea of returning to his former club. The 26-year-old midfielder would, without doubt, bring some calmness and know-how to Swansea's play.

Who could leave?

Andre Ayew recently confirmed clubs are interested in signing him this summer. The forward, who has three years remaining on his contract with the Swans, has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea, Sunderland and West Ham and has spoken of his desire to play in the Champions League at some stage.

"Of course, every player wants to play for the Champions League or the title. A time will come when I'll aim for these," he said, according to Sky Sports. "I won't talk a lot but with what I've accomplished this season, clubs are interested in me. Later, we will see [what happens]."

Meanwhile, Sigurdsson has also been linked with another move away from the south Wales club this summer.

What the manager has said

"I spoke with [the chairman] about my favoured shape and characteristics of new players," Guidolin said. "I can only say the characteristics of players that I want in new players, then the decision will be made by the club.

"I can't say I want this player or that player, I can only talk about characteristics. The decision is with our chairman. There is a good relationship and good communication between me and the chairman."