Arsenal are looking to be active in the transfer window and are reportedly eying a double raid on Aston Villa
Arsenal are reportedly eying a move for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa – as well as teammate Morgan Rogers. Both players are currently in North America as part of England’s World Cup squad.
Konsa has played every minute of the tournament so far, having established himself as a first choice centre-back under Thomas Tuchel. Attacking midfielder Rogers has had to bide his time more, coming on as a substitute in the first two group games.
He then played the full 90 minutes of the win vs Panama, but was back on the bench as an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday.
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The Daily Mail reports that Konsa is emerging as a potential target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, with his ability to play both at centre-back and fill in at right-back.
It’s added that the Gunners believe that he could be available for around £35 million, although Villa value him higher.
Konsa has two years remaining on his contract, and Arsenal know that Villa need to sell players this summer to help with profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). The club are reluctant to lose star man Rogers, but could consider bids for other players.
Arsenal continue to show an interest in Rogers, with England teammate Declan Rice reportedly trying to convince the forward to make the move to the Emirates Stadium. The report adds that the Gunners believe that an £85 million bid could open dialogue with Villa over a potential move.
However, things could be complicated with a 20 per cent sell-on clause that Middlesbrough have as part of the deal that saw Rogers move to Villa Park in January 2024. Rogers is under contract with Villa until 2031, putting them in a strong position.
The 23-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in 55 appearances in all competitions last season as he helped Villa lift the Europa League trophy.
Mikel Arteta will be looking to strengthen his squad as Arsenal defend their Premier League title next season. Speaking at the end of last season, the Gunners’ boss outlined the transfer stance going into the window.
“We’ll start to make some very important decisions, we want to reach another level,” he said.
“We’re going to have to show that ambition because they are more than capable of doing it but it’s going to demand us to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
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