Arsenal are expected to return for Ezri Konsa after moving on Bruno Guimarães, but Aston Villa are braced for another bid and are not going to make it easy. Arsenal already had an opening offer turned down earlier in the summer. Villa want around £60 million and are also trying to get Konsa onto a new contract.
Arsenal's need at centre-back
The push for a defender is tied to William Saliba's back injury, with Arsenal expecting him to miss an extended period. Saliba has made only 6 appearances this season, and his 505 minutes leave a clear gap in Mikel Arteta's squad. That is why Konsa has moved back up the list after the midfield business with Bruno Guimarães.
Villa's leverage in the deal
Villa have a strong hand here. Konsa has 2 years left on his current deal, he has made 8 appearances and logged 684 minutes this season, and the club are pushing for a fresh contract. The valuation is doing the rest. Gabby Agbonlahor said: "That's the problem Aston Villa have got. Do they sell him this summer, or do they wait until next summer where you're not going to get the £70-80 million? It might be £40million, that's the one I worry about."
There is also the wider market angle, with Liverpool interest reported by some of the same outlets, but nothing in the public record says that is settled. For now, Arsenal are back in the chase and Villa are setting the price.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
