According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal are poised to return for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as they seek to provide cover for the injured William Saliba next season.
The Gunners have already made three signings in Piero Hincapie (buy clause), Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis this summer, and they are expected to announce the arrival of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this week.
The Premier League holders are also determined to land an experienced central defender after Saliba’s back injury playing for France at the World Cup. Konsa is the prime target but he won’t come on the cheap with Villa eyeing £60 million.
The Gunners are still not prepared to give up on the England international and are set to return to the negotiation table for the Englishman, who has less than 2 years remaining on his contract at Villa.
Possible deal
Arsenal had Cristhian Mosquera partner Piero Hincapie in central defence during the recent 3-1 friendly defeat to Real Betis in Dublin. It may be only pre-season but Mosquera did not look the most convincing from the right centre-back role.
Manager Mikel Arteta may want a more reliable and experienced solution for the position, and there are not many better than Konsa, who has been a mainstay in the heart of Villa’s backline and recently starred for England at the World Cup.
The former Brentford man helped Villa to secure a top-four Premier League berth last term with Europa League glory. He had a passing accuracy of 95% in the English top-flight and also won close to 70% duels over the course of the season.
Konsa also grabbed the eye with his recovery pace and ability to clear his lines effectively. The Gunners previously valued him between £30-35 million compared to Villa’s £60 million price tag. The onus is on Arsenal to make a higher bid of £45-50m to convince Villa.
The defender has opened the door for a transfer to the Premier League holders, but they should act fast, considering the league opener is on August 21 against Coventry City. Villa may also want a high-profile replacement to part ways with the…..
