You’ll all be aware that Arsenal are chasing Swansea’s Ashley Williams, along with Liverpool, though the Gunners are much further along.

The Welsh captain has impressed (?) this season, leading Swansea to Capital One Cup glory alongside Chico Flores. It’s transpired that Swansea will only listen to offers of £10m for the defender, with prices as high as £12m mooted.

As ever, the ‘British premium’ seems to be applying, in which a British player will cost far more than a foreign player of equal or better ability, simply due to their home-grown nature.

A comparison

So, if Arsenal want Williams they’ll have to stump up £10m. Fairly trifling money in today’s climate of £40m+ signings, but still not an inconsiderable sum.

This is for a centre-back who’s never played at a higher level than mid-table Premier League and is more notable for his clearances than any kind of defensive intelligence. It’s not to say he’s awful and the new Squillaci, but he would not be first choice. Perhaps third or fourth, depending if Vermaelen stays or not.

We now look at Arsenal’s most recent addition, Nacho Monreal. The left-back came with rave reviews from all corners, interest from Bayern Munich and Champions League experience with Malaga.

He cost around £8.3 million(DailyMail) or around £10 million (BBC).

Players like Williams, who would fill squad space at top-4 sides around Europe, could cost half again as much as an established Spanish international. It doesn’t quite add up.

So, is Ashley Williams worth £10 million? Do we need him?

No team has ever won the league without a British centre-back, but then again all those British centre-backs were excellent. Ashley Williams is just ‘all right’.

Perhaps it’s time for Arsenal to break the mould and sign a player to compete for a starting berth, and prove that history doesn’t always govern the future. Or... ?

Latest: