Aston Villa are expected to turn down an Arsenal offer of £40m for Ezri Konsa, but the player is believed to be open to the move, according to a report.
Tom Collomosse reports for the Daily Mail that Aston Villa are expected to reject a £40m Arsenal proposal for Ezri Konsa, but Collomosse adds that the defender is thought to be open to the move.
Sami Mokbel had reported for the BBC on Wednesday that Arsenal were reigniting their interest in Konsa, who is still on holiday following the World Cup.
The Gunners were initially willing to pay around £30m for Konsa earlier in the summer, but that initial pursuit of the player didn’t really go anywhere, with Villa wanting £60m.
Mokbel reported on Wednesday that Arsenal have since accepted they will need to significantly improve their original offer, though the suggestion is that Villa would still need to lower their valuation for the transfer to be possible.
Based on the Daily Mail’s report, it seems Arsenal have now upped their bid to £40m, only to see it turned down once again.
Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris was reportedly upset by Arsenal’s initial ~£30m proposals, and it’s not clear whether upping the offer by around £10m has changed that. But it’s evidently still not at the level the Midlands club will accept.
Arsenal are in the market for a central defender in the absence of William Saliba, who is currently injured. Konsa has been reported as the club’s top defensive target, though they’ll obviously have a limit on how much they’re willing to pay for him.
28-year-old Konsa is a homegrown England international, which adds to the appeal of signing him. He has a contract until 2028, so this would be a good time for Villa to cash in if they get a bid they’re happy with.
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