Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup is open to the sale of defensive linchpin Ashley Williams at the right price, according to reports.

Williams has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs in recent weeks, with Arsenal and Liverpool mentioned most consistently.

Despite being under contract until 2015 Laudrup is considering sanctioning the central defender's departure to fund a move for transfer targets in the close season.

Laudrup is quoted by The Sun as saying: "There has been a lot of talk and let's see what happens.

"Maybe we have to accept one player will go but not any more. We have to strengthen to consolidate because a lot of the teams below us in the table will spend more money.

"Those sums are above what we pay so we have to do things in different ways."

Williams has been coy on his Swansea future in recent weeks, admitting that he will have to consider a move away from the Liberty Stadium if presented with a concrete offer from a big side.