Arsenal are preparing to submit an offer to Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa, according to reports. The Premier League champions are in the market for a new centre-back this summer after it emerged that William Saliba had been playing the entirety of France’s World Cup campaign with a fractured back.
Saliba, who was forced off in the first half of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday, is now expected to miss the start of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign and could undergo surgery.
Arsenal Step Up Interest in Konsa
Arsenal’s interest in Konsa was reported earlier this month with the Gunners holding a ‘tentative interest’ in the Villa defender. However, the Daily Mail now reports that Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Konsa and are ready to open talks with Villa over a deal.
The report adds that Konsa is ‘keeping an open mind on his future’ and has not reached an agreement with Villa over a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in two years. Villa are understood to be demanding a £60 million transfer fee for Konsa, who has impressed in England’s defence during their World Cup campaign this summer.
Ollie Watkins Praises Konsa
Speaking earlier this month, Ollie Watkins hailed Konsa, who he plays alongside with for both Villa and England, as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. ‘I think Ezri is just so underrated,’ Watkins told talkSPORT. ‘It’s mad how under the radar he goes and for so many years he has been.
‘I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. People don’t look at that straight away. I don’t know if it’s profile around Villa and stuff like that. People always look at the top teams. But defensively, he hardly puts a foot wrong. I think one vs one, he played there.
‘I remember we played against Brazil and Vinicius Junior couldn’t get past there. He’s so solid. He can play right-back and obviously his main position is centre-back. But if he does play there, I’m fully confident he can bring more than a job. ‘He can go and really excel there and make it really tough for top-class wingers to get past him.’
Impact of Saliba's Injury
Saliba’s fractured back, sustained during France’s World Cup campaign, has forced Arsenal to accelerate their search for defensive reinforcements. The 25-year-old French international is a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad, and his absence for the start of the season is a significant blow. Arsenal’s move for Konsa, valued at £60m, reflects their urgency to secure a top-class replacement.
