Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa could be the subject of a transfer battle between Liverpool and Arsenal, with both Premier League clubs reportedly considering a move for the 28-year-old.
According to reports from The Touchline, Liverpool and Arsenal are looking to strengthen their defences and have identified Konsa as a potential target. However, Aston Villa are not keen to part with one of their key players and are understood to be unwilling to consider offers below €70m.
That valuation would make Konsa a significant investment for either club, although the reported interest reflects the defender’s importance to Aston Villa and his regular involvement during the previous campaign.
Konsa played 48 matches in all competitions last season, scoring twice. He started 46 of those games and made only two appearances from the substitutes’ bench, underlining the extent of his role in the Aston Villa team.
The defender’s consistently prominent position in the starting line-up is also central to the reported asking price. Aston Villa are said to regard him as one of their leading players and therefore have no desire to allow him to leave for a fee they consider insufficient.
Liverpool and Arsenal may now have to decide whether Konsa is worth meeting the €70m valuation if they take their interest further. The report does not state that either club has submitted a formal offer, but both are linked with the centre-back as they assess defensive reinforcements.
For Aston Villa, the reported stance is clear: any potential departure would require a substantial fee. Offers below €70m are not expected to be considered, meaning the Premier League clubs would need to commit significant resources to bring Konsa to their respective squads.
Konsa’s record from last season provides the basis for his status at Aston Villa. He was involved in almost every match across all competitions, starting all but two of his 48 appearances. Although his goalscoring contribution was limited to two goals, his primary responsibility remained defensive, and his selection record showed how regularly he was trusted from the beginning of games.
The reported competition between Liverpool and Arsenal could therefore develop around Aston Villa’s valuation rather than simply the player’s availability. With the club reluctant to sell, the €70m figure is likely to be the key factor in any discussions over Konsa’s future.