Magpies eye up Williams

Sky Sports understands Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Swansea City defender Ashley Williams.

Swansea defender attracting interest from rival clubs

Sky Sports understands Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Swansea City defender Ashley Williams. Magpies boss Alan Pardew is in the market for a new centre-half and Wales international Williams is thought to be on his wanted list. Williams was outstanding for Swansea in their debut season in the Premier League last term and he missed only one game for the Welsh club. He signed a three-year extension to his contract in August last year and is approaching 200 appearances for the club since joining from Stockport County in 2008. A number of clubs are keeping tabs on the 27-year-old's situation and Pardew is looking to build a Newcastle squad capable of competing in both the Premier League and Europe this season. Swansea would be reluctant to lose Williams, but could face a battle to resist any big-money offers for the highly-rated stopper.