Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly planning a move for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are eager to add a centre-back to their squad this summer and have identified quite a few targets. Aston Villa defender Konsa is one of the central defenders on the Gunners’ list as the north London giants prepare for a big summer ahead.
24-year-old Konsa is a Charlton Athletic youth product and moved to Aston Villa in a €13.30 million deal from Brentford in 2019. He has since formed a formidable partnership with Tyrone Mings at the centre of the club’s defence.
Strong in ground duels and comfortable on the ball, Konsa will have four years remaining on his contract with Villa after the ongoing season. But signing him might not be very tough for potential suitors. The aforementioned report states that Gerrard has told the defender’s agent that the club are ready to listen to offers for the Englishman.
The development will please Arsenal as they go about their rebuilding job under the leadership of Mikel Arteta. The Spanish tactician has just three centre-backs at his disposal currently in Ben White, Gabriel and Rob Holding and will need reinforcements this summer to keep moving ahead.
William Saliba is out on loan at Olympique Marseille and has excelled for the Ligue 1 club. But there is still no clarity over whether he will be part of Arsenal’s setup come next season. So, there is a need for the Gunners to add more depth, especially considering that they look primed to return to European football.
On the other hand, Aston Villa are targeting Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and are confident they can complete a deal for him. They were interested in getting the defender on board in January but the Reds were unwilling to let the Englishman leave midway through the season.
Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris are preparing to back Gerrard in the market. With Gomez’s signing their priority, Konsa could be allowed to leave if the right offer arrives. But it remains to be seen if Arsenal are prepared to formalise their interest in the Englishman in the summer.
