Ashley Williams insists he is focused only on Swansea City.
The Wales international has enjoyed another impressive season at the Liberty Stadium, including leading them to League Cup glory at Wembley in February. Williams has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers eager to bolster their defensive options.
However, the 28-year-old, who has made 32 appearances in the Premier League this season, insists he is not thinking about a summer switch despite all the speculation. And with his contract set to run for another two seasons, there is every chance Michael Laudrup will still be able to call upon his captain when the new campaign begins.
“I’ve answered the same questions so many times over the years and it’s the same now,” Williams told Wales Online. “If you’re being linked with other teams it means you’re doing your job properly. I can’t think about things like speculation, I’m here with Swansea, enjoying playing in the Premier League and being captain and that’s what I’m focused on.
“You can take it as a compliment because you don’t see players who aren’t playing well linked with other clubs in newspapers, but it’s a case of ‘thanks for the compliment’ and that’s that. I don’t pay too much attention to it all. There’s no point in me thinking about it because I have too much else to focus on in my own personal life and on the pitch.”
Although Williams is happy with the Swans and the club naturally don’t want to lose him as they continue to make solid progress on the pitch, it has been reported that an offer of around £15million would be enough for them to sell. For the time being, though, the player and his team-mates will be fully concentrated on clinching a top-ten finish.
Laudrup’s side are currently ninth in the standings on 42 points, and have a game in hand over all the teams immediately below them. On Saturday, they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the scene of their memorable League Cup semi-final first leg win back in January. Manchester City (home), Wigan Athletic (away), champions Manchester United (away) and Fulham (home) complete the season for the Welsh team.
