The Malaysian tycoon says he wants to see Malky Mackay pick up the type of bargain which saw unknowns like Michu and Michel Vorm come to the Liberty Stadium for peanuts.
That is the way forward for the Bluebirds, Tan stated, rather than spending multi-millions on household names whose best days may be behind them.
Tan reckons the Swans have put a successful business model in place and is hoping Cardiff boss Mackay follows suit as he seeks the ‘four or five’ new players needed for the Bluebirds to take on Manchester United, Chelsea and co in the top flight.
Cardiff fans are already speculating on who the Bluebirds could sign during the summer, with names as wide-ranging as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs to Jamie Mackie and Hal Robson-Kanu.
But in his most in-depth interview about the Bluebirds yet, Tan warned: “We can’t afford superstar players for the time being.
“We need maybe four or five new players to cover for injuries etc. We’re looking. We’re trying to spend smartly but it’s easier said than done.
“I do like the Swansea model – they have shown the way. I would like to buy a Michu, who for just £2 million has performed better than Fernando Torres has for £50 million.
“Luck is involved on the field, but normal business rules apply off it. You buy players and they are assets.
“Like Michu, who cost £2 million and is worth £20 million. But if he has only one year left on his contract, you have to sell him.”
Tan also insisted he was absolutely right to re-brand the Bluebirds, claiming his decision changed the club’s fortunes.
He spoke too of his joy at the way the Cardiff City brand was taking off in his Malaysian homeland.
“I created some controversy with the colours. There was a lot of resistance. Most of the fans and most of the board were against it,” said Tan.
“I said maybe this will change our luck. I changed the logo to the national symbol.
“In 1927 when Cardiff won the FA Cup they had a dragon on their crest so I brought it back – the national flag on the shirt.
“It’s not an Asian dragon but their national symbol. You can’t have a red dragon on a blue jersey, so the jersey had to change too.
“The blogs got pretty nasty, but I would like to think I changed Cardiff’s luck”
Of the far east links, he continued: “You know, one Malaysian official told me that he cried when he saw the stadium with Malaysia over it.
“I’ve been told by chairmen of other football clubs that I’m ‘lucky to have your country sponsoring your team’.
“I have to tell them that on the contrary, I am sponsoring my country by putting Malaysia on the Cardiff jerseys.
“But I believe I received a lot of goodwill from Malaysians by promoting Malaysia. I think a lot of people are supporting us quietly.
“I could have put one of my companies on the shirt – like Cosway – but Malaysia has a nice ring to it.
“Every week I get the cuttings and the papers show massive coverage with the Malaysia logo emblazoned across their pages.
“I hope that Tourism Malaysia will consider sponsoring us.
“Some people said I was mad to buy a football club, but it’s turning out to be a good investment for me.
“The Kuwaitis have bought Nottingham Forest, the Thais have Leicester, the Abu Dhabis bought Leeds, while Birmingham is still in Hong Kong hands.
“What we are doing has got to be good for Malaysia."
