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 the Frenchman might prefer the Wales international over a more expensive alternative.

"Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi is another Gunners target but Wenger is reluctant to activate the German international's £42 million 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.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

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 the Gunners with a possible £8 million bid in 2013, while the Daily Telegraph's Luke Edwards wrote that Williams was eager for the "new challenge" Arsenal represented.

Interestingly, though, Edwards' report featured this line about the proposed fee three years ago: "Arsenal have shown interest in the Wales international but have baulked at Swansea’s £10 million valuation."

If Wenger was reluctant to make a double-digit offer for Williams in 2013, it seems unlikely he'll be ready to do it three years later.

Still, Arsenal's need for a commanding centre-back is arguably greater now than in 2013, particularly since Mertesacker was ruled out, per Wenger:

Mertesacker has his detractors, but his leadership qualities are important, as Wenger recently noted, according to Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports: "We will miss him. He is a leader on and off the pitch. He is very well respected in the dressing room and gets everybody focussed on targets. We lose a heavyweight in our dressing room."

Williams embodies those same vital intangibles, so maybe Wenger will finally deem the £10 million asking price worth paying.

However, the Gunners chief may perhaps see better value in a deal for Williams' defensive partner, Fernandez.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Arsenal are reportedly showing interest in the 27-year-old Argentinian, according to the Sun's Alan Nixon: "Boss Arsene Wenger needs a defender after losing Per Mertesacker for months. His spies have tipped Fernandez as a stopgap, but he may have to fork out £10 million."

Former Napoli man Fernandez boasts the same comfort in possession as Williams and makes sense as experienced cover. Wenger needs more proven depth to avoid relying on 21-year-old Calum Chambers and 20-year-old new boy Rob Holding as his go-to reserves this season.

Yet, both Williams and Fernandez would likely want to start and could push uninspiring Gabriel Paulista for a place in the starting XI. The two transfer targets compare favourably, as numbers from WhoScored.com show:

Player	Games	Tackles	Inter	Fouls	Offsides	Clear	Drb	Blocks
Williams	36	1.9	2.8	0.8	0.6	8.7	0.4	1.2
Fernandez	32	1.8	2.5	1	0.8	6.8	0.8	0.7

Swansea may even be willing to let one of their centre-backs leave, having already added to the position, per Mat Davies of the South Wales Evening Post. "Swansea have signed a central defender this summer, with Mike van der Hoorn having arrived from Ajax, but they have let Kyle Bartley join Leeds on a season-long loan," Davies wrote.

Arsenal's need for defensive reinforcements is fast becoming as pressing as their desire to add a new striker. If Wenger signs any of the Swansea duo, he's likely to get a Premier League-tested, experienced and solid defender who would excel as a smart, under-the-radar signing.