Ashley Williams' future as an Everton player looks unclear with many reports linking the Wales captain with a move away from Merseyside.

It would be a much quicker demise than many expected for the 33-year-old, two years after his Swansea City departure and not long after the likes of Arsenal were sniffing around.

But following reports in the tabloids that new Everton manager Marco Silva is ready to offload Williams and a clutch of other Toffees stars, we delved deeper to find the truth behind the rumours and ask whether a sensational return to Swansea could be on the cards...

What's the situation with Williams' future?

Despite the fact that many news outlets are reporting Williams will definitely leave Goodison Park this summer, the outlook is not as clear as it seems.

For a start Williams is believed to be one of Everton's biggest earners, said to be raking in £75,000 per week, so he may be difficult to offload on a permanent deal with another year to run on his contract.

But there is no doubt the Welshman endured a difficult season in 2017/18. He made a number of high-profile mistakes, drawing harsh criticism from Everton fans on social media and was omitted from Sam Allardyce's starting XI for the final six games of the season following a red card versus Burnley.

Mason Holgate and Michael Keane are the rising stars of Everton's defence and Silva reportedly wants new additions of his own having taken the reins from Allardyce — so Williams' position as a regular starter for the coming season is by no means guaranteed.

Liverpool Echo Head of Sport David Prentice reveals that Everton are keen to reduce their wage bill this summer, though Williams' departure is not as inevitable as impending exits for others such as Davy Klaassen and Kevin Mirallas.

"Williams had a pretty disastrous campaign last season, but he's one of the club's biggest earners which could make it difficult to move him on,Especially at his age," he said.

"However, Farhad Moshiri is on a campaign to try and ease the club's wage bill at present hence Waye Rooney, Sandro and Davy Klaassen all probably moving on."

Williams' injury situation further complicates matters.

He punctured a lung in Wales' goalless draw with Mexico at the start of this month along with multiple rib breaks and underwent surgery. His returned date is not yet known. So passing a medical for any switch of clubs becomes another grey area.

Could a return to Swansea actually happen?

At this stage it would seem improbable, given the Swans' financial limitations now they are in the Championship.

But with Alfie Mawson surely set to leave the Liberty Stadium, there would be a nice symmetry if Williams returns to replace the man who replaced him in 2016. The sale of Mawson and others could also give Swansea some transfer funds to spend straight away.

Those Williams wages would, however, be the sticking point to any potential SA1 homecoming.

But where else would Williams go? At 33 and on recent form, he would represent a big financial gamble for a bottom half Premier League club.

(Image: Getty Images)

David says: "If Everton and Swansea could come to some kind of agreement regarding wages I think it certainly wouldn't be one to rule out.

"The players are back in training on Monday and when we speak to Marco Silva we might have more of an idea."

Another issue would be the transfer policy of new Swans boss Graham Potter, who is unlikely to chase big names and wants to build a team at Swansea the way he did so successfully at FK Ostersunds.

The players on Potter's radar — the likes of Saman Ghoddos and Ken Sema — aren't eye-catching names to get fans talking in the way a Williams return would, but their additions would show joined up thinking.

Still, the thought of welcoming 'Ash' back would certainly inject some much needed excitement back into Swansea City.