Arsenal have been back in touch with Aston Villa over a potential deal for Ezri Konsa, but the UEFA Super Cup finalists' £60million valuation is proving problematic.
The 28-year-old remains the Premier League champions' top defensive target heading into the final stretch of the summer transfer window, with head coach Mikel Arteta actively pushing to strengthen his backline.
For now, there remains a notable gap - worth in the region of £20m - between what the Gunners would be willing to pay and the kind of money that would see Villa seriously consider a sale.
Arsenal's Long-Standing Interest
Arsenal are understood to have made a verbal approach for Konsa earlier in the window, around the time of their interest in Morgan Rogers, which ultimately amounted to nothing. But the Gunners never truly threw in the towel, as the versatile centre-back, who can also operate as a right-back, ticks multiple boxes for Arteta.
He is rapidly approaching his peak and is vastly experienced, having just competed in his second major tournament for England. He is also a threat in both boxes and, crucially, is homegrown. Konsa, who is also close friends with Bukayo Saka, hails from Newham in east London and is thought to be open to joining Arsenal, even though he was a boyhood Tottenham Hotspur supporter.
Villa's Stance and Contract Offer
Still, a transfer, at this stage, remains difficult, as Unai Emery is counting on the player for the upcoming season. Villa have also offered Konsa a new contract, with his existing deal expiring in 2028, and that proposal remains on the table.
Mirror Football understands Arsenal would be prepared to better the wages currently on offer in the Midlands, which may prove attractive for Konsa. Villa are not thought to be under any immediate financial pressure to cash in following the exits of Rogers (£117m to Chelsea) and Youri Tielemans (£35m to Manchester United), and there's a desire to strengthen, not weaken, Emery's squad following the 2-1 defeat to PSG in Salzburg.
Defensive Cover and Alternatives
For now, Arsenal view 16-year-old Marli Salmon as adequate cover and competition for Cristhian Mosquera at right centre-back, but there is still scope to bolster their defensive options, with William Saliba sidelined due to a back issue. An injury to Ben White or Mosquera would also drastically change the picture, with Jurrien Timber still recovering from a minor groin procedure.
Ideally, the Gunners want to sign a profile that can play at both centre-back and right-back, which is why Konsa fits the bill. Other options, including Tottenham's Cristian Romero (now set to join Atletico Madrid) and Atletico's Marc Pubill, have been explored but to no avail. Arsenal will be forced to consider other alternatives if Villa continue to dig their heels into the ground.
Konsa has been handed an extended break by Emery alongside England team-mate Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emi Martinez following their involvement in the World Cup. He has insisted that all three players required four weeks of rest, which is why he ruled them out of the Super Cup.
