Aston Villa players are reportedly resigned to losing Ezri Konsa this summer, with Arsenal interested in signing the England international. The Gunners are looking to bounce back from a disappointing setback in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Arsenal's defensive interest
It's claimed the Gunners are eyeing the Villa star as they look to bolster their backline following an injury to William Saliba and concerns over Jurrien Timber and Ben White. The Mail says both Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on securing the England international, with his Aston Villa colleagues worried that Konsa will depart the club.
However, the Gunners will need to raise their offer, having already seen a bid much lower than Villa's £60m valuation swiftly rejected earlier this summer. It was claimed earlier this week that the Premier League champions will go back in with an improved offer before the window closes on September 1.
Transfer priorities and setbacks
Konsa has been among the main transfer targets for Mikel Arteta's side this summer, behind Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior, but Arsenal are reluctant to overspend. While Arteta will now look to find an alternative attacking option to Vinicius, signing Konsa would be a huge coup and soften the blow of missing out on the Brazilian.
However, Villa have already seen several key players exit this summer, with Morgan Rogers departing for Chelsea and Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United, meaning they are under no financial pressure to cash in.
Villa's stance and dressing room mood
Defender Lucas Digne is also expected to complete a move to PSG, but there is still said to be some anxiety within the Villa Park dressing room about Konsa's future, with the defender having just two years remaining on his contract.
Guimaraes is on the brink of switching to the Emirates Stadium for a reported £75m transfer from Newcastle United.
Vinicius Junior's decision
Yet, the Gunners suffered a setback earlier this week, with Vinicius poised to pen a new contract with Real Madrid. Arsenal had been ready to table a blockbuster contract for the Brazilian winger in a bid to tempt him to the Premier League champions this summer, with the 26-year-old locked in a stalemate with Los Blancos over fresh terms.
However, Jose Mourinho's outfit enhanced their contract proposal, and Vini Jr has now committed his future to the Bernabeu.
The Gunners will now put that setback behind them and are reportedly set to pursue Konsa as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown this season. Arteta is also determined to go one step further and claim Champions League glory, having suffered defeat to PSG on penalties in the final back in May.
