Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez Rumours

Swansea City centre-backs Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez are reportedly transfer targets for Arsenal, as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger looks for defenders to cover Per Mertesacker’s injury.

However, Wenger could face competition from Premier League rivals Everton for Swans skipper Williams, according to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express. He also noted how Wenger might prefer Williams over a more expensive alternative.

“Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi is another Gunners target but Wenger is reluctant to activate the German international’s £42m release clause,” Fissler wrote.

In fairness to Wenger, £42 million is a monster fee for a player who doesn’t even start for the German national team, even though Mustafi has the aerial prowess the Gunners lack in defence.

Of course, Williams is also exceptional in the air. He’s a powerful and battle-tested central defender with the quality to play the ball out from the back.

While some may be wary about his age, the 31-year-old Williams is the savvy organiser and tough leader Arsenal often lack defensively, traits he displayed as a cornerstone of Wales’ successful UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.

This is also far from the first time Wenger has been credited with interest in the one-time Stockport County defender. Daniel Taylor of the Guardian linked Arsenal with a possible £8 million bid in 2013. The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards also wrote that Williams was eager for …

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