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With Sunderland persistent in their pursuit of Ashley Williams, after not being put off despite seeing a bid of around £4m rejected by Swansea, the player's agent Jaime Moralee has said Swansea to not want to entertain any offers for their captain and in ideal world his client would sign a new contract at the Liberty Stadium;
At the moment there have been some bids coming in. Swansea have rejected those because they think Ash is important - everyone's clear on that.
Swansea are very clear that Ashley is not for sale. Whatever offer comes in, he is not going to be sold.
That's the option they've got and we're comfortable with that. We respect that because he's their player, he's under contract.
We've got to the point where they don't want to take an offer so hopefully we can sign the right contract at Swansea - that would be Ash's ideal scenario.
Ash is very professional and he will continue to give Swansea everything he has.
While signing a new contract would be preferable, Moralee admits Williams could also still leave on a free transfer in a year or we could yet see Swansea cash in on the player should a new contract not be agreed;
All three options are still there. Ash could sign a new contract, he could leave for nothing in a few months time or Swansea could take the money and everyone could part ways.
But Swansea have said he's not for sale so that narrows things down.
I'd like to think that Swansea do not just want to let Ash walk away for nothing. But there is a danger that could happen.
If Ashley signs another contract at Swansea he will probably end his career there. I'd like to think we can reach an agreement because that is Ash's preferred option.
Ash is back in training now, he will talk to the manager and chairman and we'll be having talks at management level.
With Sunderland determined to add a top quality central defender to their ranks, Moralee says they have made it clear they will not stop bidding for the 29-year-old and is hopeful his client's future will be clearer in the next week or so;
Sunderland have made it clear that they will just keep bidding and bidding. They want the player and I understand that.
Ash has had this sort of speculation around his neck for the last five years so he's used to it. That's because of the performances he has put in. He is probably one of the top eight British centre-backs in the Premier League.
There are two or three other clubs that are monitoring Ash's situation, but different clubs operate in different ways.
Sunderland are trying to get their business done early, while others prefer to wait. It's too early for a big decision, but the transfer window has only just opened. Hopefully things will move along in the next week or so.
Despite Swansea being unwilling to sell the defender, it does appear as if Williams is keeping all his options open, which should encourage Sunderland but we will have to wait and see if they are willing to offer the Welsh club enough to part with a player who only has one year left on his contract.
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