**Aston Villa and Three Lions centre-back Ezri Konsa is on the radar for both Liverpool and Arsenal this summer, but he seems to be leaning towards a move to the Emirates Stadium.**
Reigning Premier League champion [Mikel Arteta has to contend with a serious injury to William Saliba](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yveezg9q3o), who is set to miss an extended period of football due to a worrying back injury.
Therefore, the Gunners need a top centre-back to join their ranks to ensure their Premier League title defence is not undermined by Saliba’s unlucky injury, while Liverpool are also in need of a player of Konsa’s talent.
The Reds, who welcome Andoni Iraola to the club this summer, will be without Ibrahima Konate after the Frenchman moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Now, it would appear that Konsa is becoming a more and more serious target for the Reds.
Liverpool and Arsenal do battle for Konsa’s signature
-----------------------------------------------------
While AC Milan’s [Fikayo Tomoro has also been linked with a move to Anfield](https://live4liverpool.com/liverpool-make-contact-with-ac-milan-over-signing-of-fikayo-tomori/), new links from Caught Offside to Konsa are far more encouraging for fans to read.
Their report, penned by Mark Brus, reads: “Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa is a target for both Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, and he’d be “interested” in a move to the Emirates Stadium.
“Arsenal have been considering investing big money in a new central defender this summer, with Konsa one of their top targets. However, it’s felt that Villa’s £60m asking price for the England international would be too high for the Gunners, even if they haven’t left the race for his signature yet.
“Liverpool have also been mentioned as potential suitors for Konsa, who seems to be open to leaving Villa Park, even if he’s not currently pushing for the move.”
Liverpool might have more to spend on Konsa than Arsenal
--------------------------------------------------------
Reading between the lines, it would appear as though Liverpool may be able to afford the £60m fee for Konsa, whereas Arsenal would struggle to stump up the cash.
If so, it would be a welcome signing given that the centre-back market is a bit diminished this summer. It’s for this reason that losing Konate is such a blow. Replacing him is difficult, even if he had become an error-prone member of the team.