But after joining from Bayern Munich, Clement said that he hoped to use his experience of working at some of Europe’s biggest clubs to help strengthen the squad at the Liberty Stadium.
Eight months on, with another season in the top-flight long since secured and Bayern’s midfield starlet Renato Sanches penned to a season-long loan deal, Clement has landed one of the biggest coups of this summer’s transfer window. How has he done it?
Simply, Clement has used his close friendship with Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti to devastating effect. The 45-year-old was No 2 to Ancelotti in Munich prior to returning to English football and also worked alongside the Italian at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
His contacts at the Allianz Arena and long-term relationship with Ancelotti allowed him to move ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Monaco and seal a deal for Sanches. Clement was understandbly delighted to get his man despite Swansea forking out a package in the region of £7million and having no option to buy.
He said: “I’m delighted to secure Renato’s services. He is a player I know well having worked with him for six months at Bayern before my own move to Swansea. He is one of Europe’s elite young talents who has already achieved a lot for his age, including winning Euro 2016 with Portugal.
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“Having moved from Benfica to Bayern, he has not played as much as he would have liked. But this move to Swansea and the Premier League will provide him with a positive development experience. He is a dynamic, powerful central midfielder who I believe has all the attributes to suit the Premier League.’’
Sanches’ arrival in South Wales is a big statement by Clement, who also allowed Fernando Llorente to leave in a £15m deal to Tottenham and replaced him with former Swansea hitman Wilfried Bony.
Clement first made a play for Sanches at the start of this week and was realistic his move was highly ambitious.
But after receiving initial encourgament from Bayern, Swansea upped their game and have pulled off the most high-profile signing in the club’s history.
At 20, Sanches remains one of the world’s brightest young talents despite struggling at Bayern following a £31m transfer from Benfica.
“We are delighted we have reached agreement with Swansea on the loan,” said Bayern chief executive and Clement’s former boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
“It was our goal for Renato to be used regularly by a club in a very strong league such as the Premier League. We are still convinced he has the potential to become an important player for Bayern in the future.”
Clement added: “I first contacted Karl early in the summer. He explained that no decision had been made about Sanches’ future, but that a number of clubs were interested in him.
“I spoke to him again a week ago, together with Carlo and the player’s representatives. They all felt Swansea was the perfect destination for him and a place where he could be developed and where he would play more regularly. I’d like to thank Karl and Carlo for showing their trust in the club and myself as a coach by allowing Sanches to come.”
Sanches aside, Clement completed some more good business on deadline day by bringing Bony back to Swansea. The Ivorian scored 34 goals for the Welsh side, but was unwanted at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola keen to offload his £128,000 weekly wage two years after he moved to the Etihad for £28m.
Bony has taken a significant cut in salary to rejoin the Welsh side, but underwent a medical late last night. Official confirmation of his £12m transfer allowed Swansea to let Llorente – who scored 15 goals last season – move to Tottenham.
Elsewhere, Clement opted against signing long-term target Nacer Chadli after refusing to meet West Brom’s £25m valuation, but did add 18-year-old former 1860 Munich goalkeeper Steven Benda to his squad on a three-year deal.