Arsenal and Liverpool interested in Swansea skipper Williams
Swansea City could be facing a battle to keep hold of one of the heroes of their run to the Capital One Cup final as the Daily Mirror reports that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are showing an interest in the Swans’ captain Ashley Williams.
Any move for the centre-back would be held off until the summer but the newspaper adds that the Gunners and the Reds are prepared to pay £8m for the 28-year-old. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers knows Williams well from his time at the Liberty Stadium while his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger is said to have had Williams watched more than once this season.
There is an agreed transfer embargo between Liverpool and Swansea following Rodgers’ move to Anfield - although he did take Swansea midfielder Joe Allen with him to Merseyside - but the freeze period will be over at the end of the season, freeing Rodgers to bid for Williams unencumbered.
Wenger is thought to be seeking alternatives in defence and Williams, the captain of Wales as well as Swansea, is high on his wanted list. However, Williams signed a new three-year contract last summer and Swansea are understood to be ready to fight off any interest.
Williams began his career as a youth team player with West Bromwich Albion, failing to make the grade at the Hawthorns and moving to Hednesford Town instead. From there the Wolverhampton-born defender joined Stockport County, spending five years with the club, before joining Swansea on an initial loan deal in March 2008, made permanent that summer.
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