The Gunners are increasingly confident of signing the Swansea City centre-back this summer as they prepare a summer bid, having held initial discussions in April
EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Goal correspondent
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Ashley s after holding a second round of talks with the player’s representatives, Goal can reveal.
s’ camp have indicated that the Swansea City defender is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
It is understood that discussions were held between the two parties this week following an initial meeting last month.
Arsenal will now put together a package to tempt the player to north London, before preparing a bid to prise him from Swansea.
The Gunners value s at £8 million, although the Welsh club are likely to hold out for a fee closer to £12m.
Arsenal are in pole position to capture the centre-back, with Liverpool harbouring increasing doubts about paying big money for a player who turns 29 in August, with the club’s owners refusing to sanction a deal.
Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of s, who he believes has the calibre and battle-hardened Premier League experience to beef up a defence that has been found wanting against the leading clubs this season.
The 28-year-old is expected to be a like-for-like replacement for skipper Thomas Vermaelen, who is attracting strong interest from Barcelona despite losing his place in the Arsenal team.
The Londoners are also keeping close tabs on highly-rated Olympique de Marseille centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou, 23, who has admitted he could leave the French club this summer.
Arsenal are preparing for an overhaul of their back line this summer, with a new goalkeeper, right-back and leader of the central defence their main priorities.
s has played the best football of his career over the last two seasons, playing an instrumental role in both establishing Swansea as a Premier League club and in their Capital One Cup triumph this season.
Liverpool were the early favourites to land s as they attempt to reinforce a defence that is likely to be deprived of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates this summer, as well as the retiring Jamie Carragher.
But the hand of s’ former manager Brendan Rodgers could be forced by the Anfield club’s transfer committee, which has the final say on recruitment decisions.
Liverpool could offer the Swansea man a nailed-on first-team spot, although Arsenal are increasingly likely to be able to provide the carrot of Champions League football.
The Gunners made a deadline-day bid for Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta in January but the Venezuelan, 28, had dropped off the radar even before agreeing to sign for Fulham.
Arsenal, who will allow veteran Sebastien Squillaci to leave on a free at the end of the season, have no plans to sell Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny but could be willing to listen to offers for Vermaelen.
Runaway Spanish league leaders Barca are in the market for a left-sided centre-back and the Arsenal club captain is believed to be one of those on their shortlist.
Vermaelen, who is rated in the £15m bracket, was axed from the Arsenal team in March following a series of mixed displays and has only started a single match in the intervening period, which was a consequence of a suspension incurred by Mertesacker.
Follow Wayne Veysey on 