It can’t be a lot of fun being a Swansea City fan this summer. Yes, the club has just enjoyed a fantastic season, but this just seems to have fueled the flames of speculation.
First there were all the stories about Michael Laudrup’s future (though he has recently told the world that he intends to stick with the Swans) and now their captain is beginning to court a lot of attention.
Could Swansea be about to have the spine ripped out of their team?
According to The Mirror, both Arsenal and Everton are battling it out to sign Ashley Williams this summer. They’ve also slapped an £8m price-tag on the 28-year-old (which seems a little low!)
Arsenal are thought to be particularly interested. With all the doubt surrounding Thomas Vermaelen (who spent long periods on the bench due to lack of form last season), it would make sense for them to be looking at replacements.
Then there’s Everton, who are already strong defensively, but have a unique connection to the Swansea City captain. New Toffees boss Roberto Martinez signed Williams five years ago back when he was in charge of the Swans.
Naturally, Michael Laudrup wont want to sell his defensive rock. This is a man who has made 229 appearances for his current side and may already have established himself as a club legend. He’s got bags of experience, real competitive edge and a knack for getting his body in the way of the ball when danger strikes.
His commitment, intelligence and know-how are hard to match. He’s certainly among the best centre-backs in the Premier League, which is why I find it hard to believe that Laudrup would let him go for just £8m. Especially since Williams signed a three-year contract with Swansea late last year.
Yet he does look like a good fit for the Gunners, who may be able to tempt him with Champions League football. Arsenal also have money to spend this summer and may be willing to spend a little more to meet the Swans’ evaluation.
Either way, they’d be getting their hands on a real bargain. After all, he has the ability to challenge for a first team place in this Arsenal side and this competition could provide a significant boost to the Gunners’ silverware chances.
So here’s hoping Arsenal send Everton packing and offer a fair price for Ashley Williams!
What’s your take? Would you like to see Ashley Williams at the Emirates?
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Everton perhaps, but Arsenal?
Why pay 8m+ for a 4th choice CB?
He’d never get a game ahead of Mert, Kos or Tommy V.
Won’t happen – waste of money.
Totally agree. He wouldn’t swap 1st team football for the slim chance of an occasional game in Europe
The price that has been discussed in Swansea for months is 12m. However, the Chairman does not want to sell. There is a widely reported story that Huw Jenkins had a bust up with Tutlulu, Laudrup’s agent, who was scheming to sell Williams to finance a big money striker. Jenkins reportedly said there was no way Williams was going anywhere. What I find hard to fathom is how the Gooners expect to move on one of their duff centre backs for 15m and replace with better for 8m. It is pure fantasy!
Please sign Williams, he is an asset to the club and he is going to contribute his own quota to the success of the club, mind you he is not a stranger to EPL and he will easily adapt to Arsenal pattern of play since his club Swansea also play flowing football like Arsenal. Please splash the cash wisely on quality players. Gooners for life.
because we need the depth if we plan on competing on all fronts this year
Duff centre backs??? Had second or third best defensive record last season. Williams would be fourth choice for us at best.
To me there is sense in getting dis versatile CB as to bring competetion among our CBs.As well to have enough sub in event of injury among them.Dis will ease us of bringing in unripe players for replacement.
always planning to buy. tired of words, we need actions.
Rub-i-sh. Ash what for Tommy? Wenger should concentrate on adding more quality and experience and not depleting same in the name of profit making. He should forget about Ashley and concentrate on Gonzalo.
Saw how Spain demolished Italy in U-21 Euro?
If wenger sing williams is going to be a bust 4 us.
yes i do,coz da player himself has da ability 2suceed in Emirate stadiom.
Couldn’t disagree more with those saying Williams isn’t good enough for Arsenal. He is and with our perennial injury record we need back up at CB and a strong bench for the long hard season to improve our chances in every competition.
Looks a bit slow but could partner with tv5 or kos but with tbfg it would lack pace and be a problem. Really happy Sagan is staying, felt he has been our most consistent player the last four years