Swansea City coach Garry Monk has insisted that his club will not be selling their skipper Ashley Williams despite the interest of various Premier League rivals.
According to the Mirror, Crystal Palace are keen on the experienced Welsh stopper, while Everton have also been linked to the defender.
The Mirror also noted that the Toffees were monitoring the 30-year-old, with Roberto Martinez having found his backline options depleted.
Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin have both left the club, while John Stones could be set to join them in the departure lounge. The England international has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, and despite the Blues rejecting a £20 million bid for his services [Independent], the Pensioners may yet return with an improved offer [The Guardian].
Should Stones depart, Martinez would be left with only Phil Jagielka as a central defensive option. He has been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Jonny Evans [Daily Mail], and may now increase his efforts to sign the Northern Irish defender, with a move for Williams looking unlikely.
Speaking to talkSPORT, as reported by the Mirror, Monk has confirmed that his key defensive asset will not be leaving the Liberty Stadium.
“Ash will be here, he’ll be here with Swansea,” the highly-rated coach began.
“I’ve got a good relationship with him, he’s our captain and obviously I played with him for very years as well.
“For the past six or seven years he’s been linked with a team in the summer, and whether that’s actual interest or driven by the papers and agents, I don’t know.
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“But Ash is very committed to the club, he’s our captain and he’s captain of Wales as well, it’s a big year for him with qualification coming up with his country.
“I don’t think he’ll want to do anything that unsettles him. He’ll want to give himself the best chance to qualify with Wales and have a good season with Swansea as well.
“I know he is looking forward to it and is fully focussed on the season ahead with Swansea.”