South Wales side target Espanyol centre-back.
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Swansea City have seen an initial enquiry for Espanyol defender Héctor Moreno rejected as they search for someone to fill Arsenal target Ashley Williams’ boots according to the Daily Mail.
The South Wales club are understood to have tabled a £5million bid for the Mexican international which was rebuffed out of hand by the Spanish club as they value their star centre-back at closer to £12m.
The 25-year-old has already won 45 caps for his country, featuring in the 2010 World Cup finals and could be part of a contingency plan if Williams leave the Liberty Stadium this summer.
Moreno won an admirer in Swans boss Michael Laudrup while playing at AZ Alkmaar in Holland and the ball-playing defender, who moved to Espanyol in 2011, collected the Parakeets player of the season award in his first year at the Barcelona-based club.
Espanyol have recognised financial difficulties and that may see them letting their defender, who made 33 appearances for the La Liga club, depart if they are offered an accurate price.
The Welsh outfit want any possible deal for Williams with Arsenal completed before the start of the new season but Arsene Wenger so far hasn’t been willing to match the Swans £12m valuation.
Owner Huw Jenkins has now reportedly warned the Gunners that business must be agreed by kick-off or the Capital One Cup winners will be retaining their new skipper for the upcoming campaign.
Reports today indicate that Wenger could increase his efforts for the 28-year-old Welsh international after suffering a defensive injury crisis. First-choice centre-back Laurent Koscielny has picked up an ankle injury on the Gunners pre-season tour of Asia and that leaves the side with just Per Mertesacker available in defence.
This early season defensive predicament may see Wenger moving for the former Stockport defender before the Premier League season kicks-off on August 17.