<
>

Ashley Williams rules out Everton, Palace links to stay at Swansea

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams has declared that he will not be leaving for Premier League rivals Everton or Crystal Palace this summer.

Williams, 30, has been linked with moves to Goodison Park and Selhurst Park during the close season.

When he was in charge at Swansea, Everton manager Roberto Martinez brought Williams to the Liberty Stadium from Stockport County in 2008.

But the Wales centre-back, who is under contract with the Swans until 2018, says he has no intention of leaving the team who finished eighth in the Premier League under manager Garry Monk last season.

He told BBC Sport: "I'll be staying. The gaffer has already said that. I'm used to dealing with the speculation and bids. It's part of the job and I just take it as a compliment and shows that you're doing your job properly.

"I'm committed to Swansea and just concentrating on Swansea this preseason."

Swansea manager Monk added that he expected Williams to stay.

He said: "You can't stop speculation or anything like that, but... it's exactly the same situation.

"He's the captain of our club, he's captain of his country. It's a big year coming up for himself and he'll be doing very well in a white shirt."