Teammate Backs Arsenal Defender Target's Price Tag

Swansea City defender Ben Davies believes Welsh international Ashley Williams' price tag is completely justified.

"You could see last season how good he [Williams] was for us and he would be a massive loss. A price of £10m or more is completely justified. Last season I would say Ash was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, I cannot think of many who were better than him. The job he did was incredible," Davies stressed.

"You see some of the money that gets spent in this league on players who are unproven in the Premier League. I think £10m is more than a fair price," the left-back concluded.

The 28-year-old Williams had a superb season in the Swans' back four last year, leading Michael Laudrup's men to the Capital One Cup in February. He also played a key role in the club's Premier League campaign, making 37 starts in the club's run to a top ten finish.

And that form saw interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, with Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers keen to bring the Welshman to their respective clubs. The Express also linked Everton to the defender but Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins was quoted last week as saying his club have yet to receive a formal bid for their captain.

It is understood that Swansea are holding out for £12m, for a player who is contracted to the club until 2015.

Rodgers may have fancied an inside track, given his connections to the Liberty Stadium club but the Swans' valuation was reportedly rejected by the Reds' board, who have told their manager to look elsewhere.

A similar state of affairs appears to have settled over any proposed transfer to north London, with Wenger hesitating to pay the fee demanded. A Goal.com report said the Frenchman would prefer to complete the deal for £8m (£10m at the most) and has already agreed personal terms with the player.

Meanwhile, QPR boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Arsenal target Julio Cesar is closing in on his Loftus Road exit. The Brazil international goalkeeper was a surprise signing last summer but, following the club's relegation, the former Serie A and Champions League winner is certain to leave; his wages, believed to be in excess of £80,000 per week, will be impossible to sustain in the Championship.

"Julio Cesar will move on. He's a top class goalkeeper, Brazil's No 1. He's been in great for Brazil and I presume there's a big club out there for him. He won't want to play in the Championship, he's a goalkeeper for a big club," the former Tottenham manager told talkSPORT.