Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal are reportedly considering signing John Stones to provide cover for the injured William Saliba.
Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa is also admired by Arsenal, although Unai Emery is surely unwilling to lose another member of his starting XI unless a significant offer is made.
That stance comes as Morgan Rogers is set to join Youri Tielemans in leaving for Chelsea in a deal worth £117 million, while Lucas Digne is also expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Konsa has two years remaining on his Villa contract and will require a new deal if he remains at the club beyond this summer's transfer window.
According to The Sun, Arsenal could offer free agent Stones a contract to provide cover during Saliba's absence after the defender suffered a back injury that could rule him out for up to five months.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows the 32-year-old well, having worked with him at Manchester City during his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
While every player has a price, Villa can ill afford to lose another key asset after already seeing three important players depart this summer.
Johan Manzambi became Villa's first signing of the summer last week, before João Gomes was confirmed as the club's latest arrival on Monday morning.
Villa also remain in talks with Bayern Munich over a loan move for João Palhinha to provide cover for Amadou Onana, who is expected to miss most, if not all, of next season after suffering an ACL rupture.
John Townley
John Townley
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