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Arsenal face Liverpool battle in £10m fight for Ashley Williams
ARSENAL will have to pay £10 million – and fight off competition from Liverpool – if they want to sign Swansea’s Wales defender Ashley Williams.
The 28-year-old signed a new contract at the Liberty Stadium in October and the Swans have put a £10m valuation on him.
Williams is a summer transfer target for Arsenal and Liverpool, both of whom want to reinforce their defences ahead of next season.
The Swans captain led Michael Laudrup's side to Capital One Cup success earlier in the season, and is admired by Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers.
Coincidentally, reports in Spain had recently linked both Arsenal and Liverpool to giant Sevilla defender Federico Fazio, who would be available for around half the price of Williams.
But crucially the Wolverhampton-born centre-half has Premier League experience, although neither of his suitors are yet ready to table an offer in line with Swansea's valuation of the player.
Liverpool legend Ian Rush last month urged the club to sign his fellow Welshman, although Arsenal are thought to be the slight favourites as they will be able to offer Champions League football if they finish in the top four while the Reds look set to miss out on the Europa League.