Ashley Williams has dropped down the pecking order in Everton's defence

Marco Silva is happy to let Williams leave and Stoke are keen on a loan deal

Negotiations centre on whether Stoke pay a just portion of his £65,000 wages

Williams is understood to be happy to drop for a season in the Championship

Stoke are making a bid to sign Ashley Williams on loan from Everton.

The Wales captain is attracting major interest, but Sportsmail understands Gary Rowett is working on concluding a deal ahead of competitors.

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Negotiations centre on whether Everton will accept terms that see Stoke pay a portion of Williams' £65,000-per-week wages.

Ashley Williams looks set to leave Everton on loan this summer, with Stoke interested in him

Gary Rowett wants the Welshman as Stoke bid to return to top flight at the first time of asking

Everton boss Marco Silva prefers other centre backs and they would recoup money by allowing Williams to leave for the final season of his contract.

But the Goodison Park club want to strike the best terms and Stoke do have additional targets.

Rowett wants a defender and has been bidding for James Chester. But Aston Villa's takeover means that prospective transfer appears very unlikely.

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Sportsmail understands Williams would be open to moving to the bet365 Stadium due to its location. His international team-mate Joe Allen is also at the club.

Williams, 33, helped steer Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals and is seen by Stoke as another potential dressing-room leader in their quest to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Williams helped Wales reach the Euro 2016 semi-final and is seen as a dressing room leader

Marco Silva has more favourable defensive options and is happy for the 33-year-old to leave