Toffees ready and Willing

Ashley Williams to Everton: Toffees have £12.5million bid for Swansea ace accepted as they seek replacement for John Stones

Merseyside club want to draft in the 31-year-old Swans defender after Stones' £42m Manchester City move

Toby Gannon

Published: 12:14, 9 Aug 2016
Updated: 13:47, 30 Oct 2018

Everton have signed £12m Ashley Williams to replace John Stones in central defence

EVERTON have had a £12.5million bid accepted for Swansea defender Ashley Williams.

The Wales international, 31, is being drafted in to replace John Stones after his £47.5m move to Manchester City.

Ashley Williams will replace John Stones at Goodison Park once a deal is done — Ashley Williams will replace John Stones at Goodison Park once a deal is doneCredit: EPA

Everton have bid £12.5m Ashley Williams to replace John Stones in defence — Everton have bid £12.5m Ashley Williams to replace John Stones in defenceCredit: PA:Press Association

Williams reportedly said his goodbyes to his Swans team-mates at the club's training ground this morning.

He is expected to travel to Merseyside later this afternoon for a medical ahead of completing a two-year-deal.

The defender made more than 300 appearances for Swansea during eight years at the Liberty Stadium.

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But after a series of impressive seasons, a number of top clubs have been fighting for his signature.

Everton have all but beaten their Premier League rivals to the chase, with Arsenal linked to the centre-back in the past.

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman knows he needs to strengthen his back-four before the campaign kicks off after the devastating loss of Stones.

Ronald Koeman has wated no time in mourning John Stones' departure — Ronald Koeman has wated no time in mourning John Stones' departureCredit: PA:Press Association

John Stones joined Manchester City today in a mammoth £47.5million deal — John Stones joined Manchester City today in a mammoth £47.5million dealCredit: Twitter @ManCity

Everton wanted to hold on to the England defender, 22, but were resigned to losing him amidst interest from Man City.

Toffees chiefs have moved swiftly to replace him just hours after his big-money move to the Etihad.

Swansea sold striker Andre Ayew to West Ham for £20.5m on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Welsh club have agreed a fee for Atletico Madrid forward Borja Baston believed to be about £17m.

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