Arsene Wenger is hoping to find a solution to his defensive problems at Arsenal by making a summer offer for Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams.

The Guardian reports that Wenger has become increasingly frustrated with the performances of his two favoured central defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker and has now made Williams his priority.

Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams holds the League Cup trophy aloft with club captain Garry Monk. [Reuters]

Tottenham managed to repeatedly expose the two defenders in the 2-1 win at White Hart Lane last weekend and it seems as though Wenger has decided that he needs a more natural leader to restore order to his leaky defence.

Williams captained Swansea to success in the Capital One Cup and has been a near ever present in the heart of defence ever since moving to the club back in the summer of 2008. His powerful displays have also led to him being repeatedly linked with a possible move to Liverpool where he would once again link up with former boss Brendan Rodgers.

According to the Guardian, Rodgers has also made strengthening his defence a priority and he is keen to reunite with Williams in the summer. With the Welsh defender under contract until 2015 it is believed that Arsenal and Liverpool would have to bid in the region of £8million.

Liverpool are preparing for life without the organisational skills of Jamie Carragher and are keen to find a defender in a similar mould. With question marks over the future of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates it seems as though Rodgers may need as many as three new defenders in the summer.

Rodgers has concentrated on recruiting players under the age of 23 but there is a feeling that a more experienced defender would have to arrive in the summer.

While Liverpool are looking for replacements, Arsenal are desperate to find a defender who can bring some stability to the backline. Vermalen and Mertesacker endured a torrid time against Tottenham and it seems as though Wenger has lost faith in the two experienced internationals.

Steve Bould, who was promoted to assistant manager in the summer, had seemingly helped fix the Arsenal defence in the early weeks of the season but consistent lapses and poor judgement has cost the Gunners dear over the course of the season.

Williams may only be in his second season in the Premier League but he has quickly established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the top flight and is seen as a natural leader both on and off the pitch.