Swansea City face their toughest fight yet to keep hold of Wales skipper Ashley Williams amid frenzied speculation of a £10million Everton swoop.
Advertisement
A club spokesman said: ‘We are not looking to sell him and therefore we have turned down the offer now on the table’.
Williams joined Swansea from Stockport County for £300,000 in 2008, going on to make over 300 appearances and developing into one of the most reliable centre-halves in the top-flight.
Williams, who turns 32 later this month, is contracted to Swansea until 2018 and could be set to stay.
The 6-foot defender had been linked to various Premier League clubs during the past several seasons, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, but the Welsh outfit had been firm on keeping him throughout the years.
After two years in north London, he returned to Swansea for an undisclosed fee in July 2014.
He said: “We’re working hard to bring in good players”.
“The main reason (for signing the contract extension) is that I’m very happy playing football here”.
Williams had just finished his ninth season for the Swans last term. It slowed down a little with the takeover, so it took longer than expected.
Ronald Koeman is busy preparing for his first season in charge at Goodison Park and the Dutchman is eager to address his defensive concerns.
Advertisement
Everton conceded 55 goals last season under Roberto Martinez and Koeman believes Fonte, who he made captain at Southampton, is the right man to stabilise their defence.
