Aston Villa could benefit from Liverpool's search for defensive reinforcements by signing one of their out of contract stars.
Ezri Konsa has been an important player for Aston Villa this season
Ezri Konsa has been an important player for Aston Villa this season(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
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Aston Villa should allow Ezri Konza to join Liverpool, in exchange for the Reds' French centre-back Ibrahima Konate. That's according to Stan Collymore, who thinks his proposal "works for both parties".
Konza has been a mainstay of Unai Emery's side this season, making 27 appearances across all competitions, as Villa push for Champions League qualification.
The 28-year-old has 17 England caps to his name and is expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions team that will head across the Atlantic for the World Cup this Summer, but for Villa striker and lifelong fan Collymore has eyed an opportunity.
Premier League champion Konate is out of contract with the Reds at the end of the season, and so far there seems little likelihood of him signing a new contract. The French international has frequently been linked with a move to Real Madrid where he could end up after following former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the Anfield exit.
But the 6ft 4" defender has struggled for consistent form this season, dulling his chances of a big-money move to Los Blancos. And Collymore belives that this will open up the door to more realistic suitors such as Villa.
Speaking to BetWright football betting, Collymore said: “Liverpool must identify a replacement for Ibrahima Konate if he leaves, especially because I don’t think Virgil van Dijk will be far behind him."
“I know there’s been talk of Marc Guehi, but I’m looking at someone like Ezri Konsa – who’s probably going to start for England at the World Cup alongside John Stones.
“If I was head of recruitment at Liverpool, I think Konsa and Guehi would both be deals that provide good value for money. Aston Villa have PSR issues that they need to address, so if they were to get a big fee for Konsa, they might have to consider it.
“For me, Konate thinks he’s the best defender since sliced bread but hasn’t played like it recently. I’m sure he’s thinking he’ll be going to the likes of PSG or Real Madrid, but could there be a swap deal where Konsa goes to Liverpool and Konate goes to Aston Villa? That would be something that would work for both parties.
“A lot depends on Konate – if he plays like he was last season, then he should be able to attract an elite Champions League club. However, if his form continues to be scratchy, there’s no guarantee he’ll move to a club of that calibre. That’s where the likes of Villa or Newcastle could potentially strike a deal with Liverpool.”
Liverpool are currently fourth in the Premier League table, one position and eight points behind Villa, who trail second-placed Manchester City on goal difference.
Konsa, who joined Villa from Brentford in 2019, is under contract at Villa Park until 2028, ensuring that he could command a sizeable transfer fee.