Crystal Palace are ready to further strengthen their squad this summer by testing Swansea’s resolve with a £10 million bid for Wales captain Ashley Williams, say The Sunday People.
Having been linked with clubs such as Arsenal in previous transfer windows, Williams has stayed true to the club he joined in 2008, first on loan then later on a permanent deal.
The 30 year old has made 145 Premier League appearances for the Swans since helping them to promotion and the club has not looked back since. Garry Monk is fully aware that his side’s strong performances and apparent mainstay status in the Premier League will attract suitors from all over, as shown with Michu’s non-return from Napoli, but it determined to hold onto his key men, saying that an “astronomical” offer would be needed for negotiations to take place.
An astronomical fee could be something that Palace are willing to offer, having already broken their own transfer record to bring in French international Yohan Cabaye this summer. Adding Williams would see the Eagles have a strong spine, and definitely a squad capable of reaching for a top 10 finish in 2015/16.
However, Ashley Williams has previously said that he is “always focused on Swansea City“, so it is possible that even if the two clubs can agree a fee, the potential Euro 2016 captain could be reluctant to leave Wales.
