Ezri Konsa is reportedly interested in joining Arsenal as Aston Villa continue to hold firm over their valuation of the England defender.
Arsenal have spent much of the summer pursuing Konsa as Mikel Arteta searches for defensive reinforcements, but Villa have consistently refused to entertain a cut-price departure.
The situation has now taken a significant turn, with talkSPORT reporting that Konsa would be interested in moving to Arsenal despite the substantial gap that remains between the clubs.
Ezri Konsa Arsenal stance raises pressure on Aston Villa
Arsenal’s previous verbal proposal was reportedly worth around £35million, considerably below Villa’s valuation of between £60m and £65m.
That approach was rejected, with ReadAstonVilla reporting this week that Arsenal had returned for Konsa but Aston Villa refused to budge on their £60m valuation.
Villa remain in a strong negotiating position because Konsa has two years left on his existing contract.
There is nevertheless another important element to the situation.
ReadAstonVilla previously revealed that Konsa’s proposed new Aston Villa contract remained unsigned despite the defender becoming one of Unai Emery’s most trusted players.
The latest information about Konsa’s stance therefore adds another dimension to negotiations.
Villa do not need to sell cheaply, but Arsenal knowing the defender would be receptive to joining them could encourage the Premier League champions to return with an improved proposal before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal are exploring Ezri Konsa alternatives
Arsenal are also examining other options as they attempt to strengthen Arteta’s defence.
The Guardian reported on Friday that Arsenal had opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over Jarell Quansah, while Como defender Jacobo Ramon has also been linked.
That does not remove the threat to Villa.
Konsa remains one of Arsenal’s leading defensive targets and his ability to operate at both centre-back and right-back makes him particularly attractive.
Villa have already lost several important players during a major summer rebuild, meaning another established starter leaving would create a significant problem for Emery.
Konsa’s reported interest in Arsenal may strengthen the Gunners’ hand slightly.
The decisive question remains whether they are prepared to come substantially closer to Aston Villa’s £60m-plus valuation.
