Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has reportedly attracted ‘tentative interest’ from Arsenal who have also been linked with a move for Morgan Rogers this summer.
Konsa, 28, has been a pillar of our side since arriving from Brentford in 2019, as he has gone on to make 286 appearances for the club and established himself as one of the top centre-halves in the Premier League as well as a regular England international.
Having helped guide us to the success that we enjoyed last season, and overall under Unai Emery, it’s hoped that he remains a fundamental part of our ongoing pursuit of further success, but unsurprisingly, his form for Villa has seemingly attracted interest from elsewhere.
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According to The Telegraph, Arsenal have shown tentative interest in Konsa, while it’s suggested that they are contemplating what to do next as they continue to be paired with a swoop for Rogers this summer too.
It’s added that Konsa is valued at £60m, and there is a sense that Villa remain under pressure to sell players to keep balancing our books and keep hold of players who are fundamental to Emery’s future plans.
Ultimately though, it could be argued that Konsa falls into that same bracket, and Villa shouldn’t even entertain the idea of selling him this summer given how important he is and how difficult it would be to replace him.
His defensive qualities have seen him emerge as one of the best defenders in the English top flight, and combined with his composure, technical ability and experience at the top level, he is vital to how we play and ultimately win.
In turn, although it’s concerning that interest is being expressed in some of our top players this summer and the threat remains that we might have to sell in order to adhere to financial regulations and fund our own spending, it’s hoped that the club can find a way of doing so without losing individuals who are integral to helping us build on last season.
Time will tell how the situation plays out for both Konsa and Rogers, but they are both players who we ideally continue to build around rather than spend the summer trying to replace, but we’ve had to face difficult decisions and setbacks before and there is full faith that Emery and the Villa hierarchy will find the answers to whatever problems present themselves.
