Arsenal Revives Interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa Amidst Ongoing Defensive Pursuits
Arsenal is rekindling their interest in Aston Villa central defender Ezri Konsa. The 28-year-old is currently on holiday following the World Cup and will not join the Villa squad for their Super Cup matchup against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.
The Gunners’ initial approach this summer for Konsa did not succeed, as Arsenal only offered around £30 million for the England international, who Aston Villa values at £60 million.
Last season, Konsa made 48 appearances across all competitions for Aston Villa, contributing to the club’s Europa League victory. After successfully recruiting Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, Arsenal now shifts focus to bolstering their defense with an intensified interest in Konsa, whose versatility is highly regarded at the Emirates Stadium.
To secure a potential deal for Konsa, Arsenal understands they must improve significantly on their original offer. However, it remains uncertain whether Aston Villa would entertain a sale below their valuation.
Additionally, multiple sources have informed BBC Sport that Arsenal has initiated exploratory discussions with Tottenham regarding a possible transfer for club captain Cristian Romero. Nonetheless, Spurs are not inclined to sell the 28-year-old defender to their north London rivals due to the fierce competition between the two clubs.
This interest has not deterred Arsenal from pursuing what could become one of the most unexpected transfers of the summer. Romero, who suffered a knee injury in April that sidelined him for the rest of the domestic season, returned to play a significant role for Argentina in the World Cup, participating for 70 minutes in the final match against Spain.
Arsenal are reigniting their interest in Aston Villa central defender Ezri Konsa.
Konsa, 28, is still on holiday after the World Cup and is not with the Villa squad for Wednesday’s Super Cup game against Paris St-Germain.
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The Gunners’ initial summer move for Konsa did not materialise, with the London club only willing to pay in the region of £30m for the England international who is valued at £60m by Villa.
Konsa played 48 games in all competitions last season for Aston Villa, winning the Europa League.
Having successfully signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, Premier League champions Arsenal have turned their attention to defence and are accelerating their interest in Konsa, whose versatility is seen favourably at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal accept they will need to significantly improve their original offer if they are to be successful in their efforts to land Konda but whether Villa are willing to let the defender leave for a fee under their valuation remains to be seen.
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Multiple sources have told BBC Sport the Gunners have also held exploratory talks with Tottenham over a potential move for their club captain Cristian Romero.
Spurs are thought to have no intention of selling the 28-year-old to Arsenal given the intense rivalry between the two north London clubs.
But that has not prevented Arsenal from making enquiries into what would be one of the most surprising transfers of the summer window.
A knee injury against Sunderland in April ruled Romero out for the remainder of the domestic season but he returned to be a starter for Argentina at the World Cup, where he played 70 minutes of the final defeat by Spain.
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