Arsenal are considering a £10m bid for Crystal Palace midfielder Jonathan Williams, according to the Mirror. The 19-year-old has been impressive for the Championship club so far this season, leading to a call-up to Welsh national team for the recent World Cup qualifiers.

Jonathan Williams
Reuters

Arsene Wenger is believed to be keen on signing the teenager, whether or not the Eagles win promotion to the Premier League; Ian Holloway's men are fourth in the table and on course for a place in the promotion play-offs.

Palace have already sold one highly rated youngster in Wilfried Zaha. The 20-year-old England international will move to Old Trafford and Manchester United in the summer for a reported £17m fee. Arsenal were strongly linked to the Ivory Coast-born forward but eventually lost out to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The capture of Williams, therefore, is understood to be a priority matter for the Emirates club. However, it will not be an easy affair because the Selhurst Park club are unlikely to let two such important players leave in quick succession, particularly if they do make it to the English top flight. In addition, English champions Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Williams, who has been valued at £8m by his club.

Meanwhile, the player himself remains unconcerned by the speculation, explaining that he was more interested in promotion to the Premier League.

"It would be a dream to go up. To be at the club for so long and to get promoted, after all the stuff I've had with injury would be a dream come true. I was there at the play-off final in 2004 with my brother and my dad. And to think this team could actually achieve that this year is mind-blowing," he explained.

Palace slumped to a poor 0-4 defeat at home to Birmingham City on Friday evening and will next face Blackpool, at Bloomfield Road, on 1 April.

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