Arsenal Transfer News: Laudrup Admits Gunners Target Ashley Williams Could Be Sold by Swansea in the Summer

May 29, 2013 04:14 AM EDT

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup admitted Arsenal target Ashley Williams could be sold in the summer.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Welsh international, with some reports even suggesting a move was imminent with personal terms having been agreed with Williams.

Arsenal are looking to bring in another solid central defender to give stiff competition to the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker while the future of Thomas Vermaelen is up in the air, even if it seems unlikely the Arsenal skipper will be sold by Wenger in the summer.

Wenger, after being impressed by the performances of Williams during the last couple of seasons, has looked at the option of signing the 28-year-old for a fee believed to be in the region of £10 million ($15 million).

Laudrup does not expect too many exits for Swansea in the summer transfer window, but admitted the possibility of Williams leaving the club.

"There has been a lot of talk and let's see what happens," Laudrup said. "He extended his contract not so long ago, like I did.

"Maybe we have to accept one player will go but not anymore. We have to strengthen to consolidate because a lot of the teams below us in the table will spend more money.

"Those sums are above what we pay so we have to do things in different ways.

"There is a lot of work to do this summer. One thing is to find them and another to then go and sign them."

Swansea will be playing in the Europa League next season, so Williams might stick around for another season yet.

Also, there are doubts whether Williams is the right option for Arsenal, with a move for the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Mats Hummels or Nicolas N'Koulou probably seen as a better option.

With Sebastien Squilacci definitely leaving and Johan Djourou also expected to sign for a new club, Arsenal definitely need more cover in the central defensive department; so it remains to be seen who, if any, Wenger brings in during the summer transfer window.

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