Carlos Carvalhal has admitted that "it is not an easy situation" finding the funds and persuading players to join Premier League basement boys Swansea City.
The Swans are in desperate need of new recruits in the mid-season transfer window after winning just four of their 22 top-flight fixtures to find themselves bottom of the division.
However, Swans boss Carvalhal - who has won one and lost one since arriving at the Liberty Stadium - accepts that he may have to target "sardines" rather than "lobsters" due to the Welsh outfit's current predicament.
"It is not an easy situation for us at the moment about the money and about the market and about the situation we have in the competition," he told reporters. "Not all the players want to come to a team that is fighting like us to stay in the competition.
"I never deal with my money. I am a conservative, I am romantic of football and romantics don't' care too much about money. I look to the players, if I like a player I tell the chairman but don't ask me about money because it is not my job.
"Probably we have money for sardines and I am thinking lobster. I will do my best to try to bring in the best players. That is why I am starting to look to the lobsters and to the sea bass, if not we must try sardines.
"Sometimes sardines can win games! We can jump to another level sometimes. It is not a question of money, sometimes it's a question of opportunity and the quality of the players."
West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is rumoured to be among the Swans' top targets, likely setting them back around £16m.
