Aston Villa have identified Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa as Unai Emery moves quickly to address another major hole in his squad.
Konsa is set to join Arsenal after the clubs reached an agreement worth around £50million, leaving Villa requiring reinforcement at centre-back before the transfer window closes.
Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas has revealed that Tosin is one of the options Villa are considering to replace the England international.
The 28-year-old’s situation at Chelsea could provide Villa with an opportunity.
Aston Villa consider Tosin Adarabioyo after Ezri Konsa deal
Arsenal’s agreement for Konsa represents another major departure during a summer of significant change at Villa Park.
Villa were already preparing for the possibility of losing the defender and have now identified Tosin as one player who could fill the vacancy.
The Chelsea centre-back’s future has also become increasingly uncertain.
The Times reports that Tosin is currently training separately from Chelsea’s main first-team group under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea sources have stressed that the group should not simply be viewed as unwanted players, but Tosin was absent from Saturday’s friendly against Real Sociedad and has also lost the No.4 shirt.
That could create an opening for Villa.
Unai Emery needs direct Konsa replacement
Villa have already made substantial changes to their defence.
Matteo Ruggeri has officially arrived from Atletico Madrid, while Villa have also agreed a deal to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham.
Neither signing, however, directly replaces Konsa at centre-back.
Read Aston Villa analysis has highlighted the scale of the potential loss, with Villa’s Premier League win percentage dropping from 45% when Konsa plays to 28.1% when he does not.
Tosin would offer significant Premier League experience and, at 6ft 5in, a different physical profile in Emery’s back line.
No agreement with Chelsea has been reported and Villa’s interest remains at an early stage.
But with Konsa heading towards Arsenal, finding another senior centre-back has suddenly become one of Villa’s most pressing transfer priorities.
