Arsenal is reportedly preparing to submit a bid for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. The England international has two years remaining on his current contract at Villa Park and has not yet reached an agreement on a new deal.
Konsa is currently with the England squad preparing for their third-place playoff match at the World Cup following a semi-final defeat. He has been a key player for Aston Villa and is seeking to become one of the club's highest earners, similar to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Sources indicate Konsa is keeping his options open regarding his future.
This interest from Arsenal is not new, as the club was previously reported to be keen on the defender earlier this month. Arsenal's potential pursuit is further emphasized by the likely extended absence of centre-back William Saliba, who sustained a back injury during the World Cup with France.
Aston Villa faces certain constraints in the current transfer market due to UEFA spending rules. The club must largely offset any player signings with player sales, although they are permitted a certain allowance for wage and transfer spending over the next two years. Villa has already seen midfielder Youri Tielemans move to Manchester United for £35 million and defender Lucas Digne is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain after the World Cup.
The club is actively working on potential deals for Johan Manzambi from Swiss football, Joao Gomes from Wolves, Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich, and Pervis Estupinan from AC Milan. Separately, Arsenal's interest in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers persists, though Villa is reportedly unwilling to consider offers below £100 million for the player, who signed a new contract last year.