Arsenal Refuse to Pay £10m for Williams Despite Centre-Back Nearing Exit – Report

Arsenal will not offer Swansea City the £10m the club are demanding for defender Ashley Williams even though there are question marks over the future of Thomas Vermaelen as Johan Djourou nears a move to Hamburg.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was pleased with the performances of first choice pair Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker but it is believed that he wants another centre back to compete with the duo.

Despite Vermaelen being the club captain he was forced to spend most of the last few months of the season on the substitute's bench. The 27 year old's performances dropped in quality and there were suggestions he may look to leave the club in order to gain regular first team football.

Wales international Williams was mentioned as a possible replacement, but a report in the Daily Mail states that Arsenal are not prepared to meet the £10m asking price set by Swansea.

If Wenger decides against bidding for Williams then it is likely that Vermaelen will be given another chance to prove his quality, especially as Johan Djourou is close to completing a loan move to German side Hamburg.

The Swiss defender has drifted in and out of favour during his time at the Emirates, making 64 appearances in two seasons between 2010 and 2012, before then starting just two League Cup games in the last campaign and being shipped off to Hannover on loan in January.

Djourou impressed during his time in Germany and it seems he is now on the verge of completing a move to Hamburg.

"I am sure the transfer will go through" Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer told Hamburger Morgenpost. "We will definitely know it by Friday."

With Djourou seemingly on his way out of the door, Wenger will have to decide whether he is happy with his current options or if he feels the need to further strengthen.

Williams has been the only centre-back to be consistently linked with Arsenal but it could well be that Wenger prefers to sign a young defender who would cost less and be happy to spend time as a reserve.