Unai Emery should start Harvey Elliott against Fulham – it can help Aston Villa correct their attacking woes.placeholder image
Unai Emery should start Harvey Elliott against Fulham – it can help Aston Villa correct their attacking woes. | Getty Images
The Aston Villa star is building up a lot of interest from rival clubs
Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa remains in the spotlight as several clubs are interested in signing him next year.
A new report has claimed the England international’s name is ‘coming up quite a lot’ amongst clubs who are looking to bolster their defensive options.
Konsa is currently under contract until 2028 and Aston Villa ‘clearly do not want to sell’ the 28-year-old. However, with just over two years left on his current terms, the club may need to enter negotiations over a fresh deal if they want to cement his place at Villa Park.
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa wanted by five Premier League clubs
According to TBR Football, five Premier League clubs are currently ‘keeping tabs’ on Konsa. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been named as parties showing interest in the 28-year-old.
Interest has expanded overseas as well, with the likes of Inter Milan, Napoli and RB Leipzig all linked with Konsa.
Aston Villa ‘do not plan on losing’ their important centre-back but other clubs believe they can lure some key names away from the club, with PSR concerns constantly in the back of the mind.
“Ezri Konsa’s name is coming up quite a lot when you talk to clubs about potential defensive options,” reporter Graeme Bailey told the outlet.
“Clearly, Villa do not want to sell but he has just over two years left on his deal, he is now one of England’s top defenders, and Villa are likely going to have to tie him down to a new deal.
“Konsa is a nailed-on Premier League performer who is now showing it at international level. It is not a shock to me that some very big clubs are keeping an eye on him.”
Ezri Konsa praised by former England manager Gareth Southgate
Konsa has earned high praise at both club and country level. Last summer, the Villa star featured in an England friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was praised for his efforts by former Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.
During that clash, Konsa played across several positions in the back four and Southgate praised his ‘confidence in an England shirt’.
“That’s his third cap, he’s done very well in all three,” the boss reflected at the time. “That adaptability is helpful to us. He’s playing in a team [at Villa] that has had an extremely good season and he’s been a big part of that.”
Konsa has started all games he has been eligible for in the Premier League for Villa so far this season. Last campaign, he made a solid 50 appearances in all competitions, including all but one of the club’s 11 fixtures in the Champions League.
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