Liverpool have stolen an important march in the race to land Ashley Williams... despite Arsenal leaving a £9million bid on the table since the turn of the year.
The Gunners made a determined effort to sign the Wales international defender right up until the end of the January transfer window, but their cash offer was turned down flat by Swansea.
Williams though, now looks certain to be made available in the summer, with boss Michael Laudrup recognising the stalwart's sterling efforts on behalf of the Welsh club by giving him the chance to move to a big club before it is too late.
That is why Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has left his offer open to Swansea, with the intention of returning in the summer to renew his interest in a centre half he rates amongst the best in the Premier League.
Williams though, is actually a massive Liverpool fan who idolised John Barnes when he was a kid first dreaming of a career in football.
And that will give the Reds a massive edge, should boss Brendan Rodgers decide to return to his former club to make an offer for the central defender he rates highly from the time the pair worked together.
The Reds boss is looking to sign TWO centre halves in the summer, with Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the season.
Rodgers has drawn up a list of targets in the position that includes amongst others, Williams, Brazilian international Dede, youngster Toby Alderweireld of Ajax and Feyenoord's Stefan de Vrij.
But he won't know for sure which of those candidates he will bid for, until he finalises his summer transfer budget with the club's American owners, and then decides which players will leave Anfield in the summer to raise funds.
Williams is going to cost at least £9m with Arsenal's bid still on the table, but the defender's experience will count in his favour, given the departure of Carragher and Liverpool's urgent need for a leader at the back.
Arsenal's likely presence in Europe next season could be a barrier to the Reds getting their man, but the history of the Anfield club will count in their favour, with a close friend of Williams insisting yesterday:
"The truth is that Ash is a massive Liverpool fan and he would go on his hands and knees all the way to Anfield if it meant a move to the club he supported as a kid."
Source: Daily Mirror
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