Striker sale to fund Liverpool’s move for Swansea defensive ace

In light of their long-standing interest in Swansea captain Ashley Williams, Liverpool finally appear ready to step up their pursuit of the central defender with a bid.

But whilst Williams is thought to be keen to re-unite with Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, there is a potential stumbling block in the way of the Welsh international completing a move to Merseyside.

This comes in the form of the £9m offer Arsenal made for the 28-year-old back in January, a bid which remains on the table for Swans chief Michael Laudrup to consider.

However, it is thought that Liverpool could steal a march on the Gunners by bidding £12m for Williams, with that fee almost certain to allow the Reds permission to discuss personal terms with the former Stockport man.

In order to fund such an offer therefore, Rodgers may be willing to accept a knockdown fee for imposing striker Andy Carroll this summer.

Under the initial terms of Carroll’s loan move to West Ham, it is believed that the Hammers agreed they would pay Liverpool £17m in the close-season should they wish to make his move permanent.

But with a less than stellar goal tally accompanying a series of injury concerns throughout Carroll’s stint in London, Sam Allardyce believes he can land the 24-year-old for a cut-price £10m.

He may very well be right, amidst Rodgers appearing to lose faith in central defenders Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates in particular, in addition to Jamie Carragher’s impending retirement.

The signing of a centre-half is therefore of paramount importance to the Anfield boss, and he could oversee the departure of a player he deems surplus to requirements in light of Carroll’s physical playing style.

Whilst the Reds would be reluctant to take such a hefty hit on the £35m they paid for Carroll two years ago, if his exit is to pave the way for Williams’ arrival on Merseyside, switches for both players look likely to come to fruition.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.