Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola could get his wish at Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are reportedly deciding whether to enter the race for Ezri Konsa alongside Arsenal, with Andoni Iraola desperate to add reinforcements in defence. The Reds have seen their options dissipate in recent weeks, with Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni all having their own fitness issues during pre-season.
Virgil van Dijk is the only senior centre-half available, but he has been given an extended break following the captain's excursions at the World Cup with the Netherlands. Van Dijk, 35, might have anticipated a new partner this season, following Ibrahima Konate's free transfer to Real Madrid, but Jacquet is the only new face.
Iraola has been compelled to rely on youngsters, fielding Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, and Luke Chambers, 22, in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Leeds, while Mor Talla Ndiaye, 18, has also been given minutes in pre-season.
The exit of Konate means Liverpool require a seasoned player to line up alongside Van Dijk and The Guardian claim that Konsa has become a potential target.
The England international is also being monitored by Arsenal following William Saliba's back injury at the World Cup, though Villa's £60m asking price is believed to exceed the Gunners' budget.
Konsa has two years remaining on his Villa contract, having represented the club since 2019 and accumulated 286 appearances across all competitions. The 28-year-old boasts considerable Premier League pedigree and could prove the ideal fit for Iraola, who has openly expressed his frustration at the lack of squad depth he inherited this summer.
Jacquet, who arrived in January from Rennes, and Victor Munoz represent the only two significant signings completed thus far, with the issue highlighted by the fact that Iraola's assistant, Tommy Elphick, was forced to fill in at centre-back during a recent training session.
Iraola recently conceded: "With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now so I think it's a solution that we are trying to find, yes."
Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa is a wanted man this summer. (Image: Getty Images)
Gomez will be absent for the Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle on August 23, leaving Van Dijk as the sole fit senior centre-back available. The Dutchman missed the United States leg of pre-season with his team-mates, affording Iraola precious little time to work with him ahead of the new campaign.
"When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad," Iraola added last month. "There are obvious situations where we need to sign players."
Liverpool are navigating a summer of significant change, with Iraola coming in to succeed Arne Slot following a difficult season that saw Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson all depart.
Adding to the complexity, Fenway Sports Group chief Michael Edwards has also stepped down, placing greater pressure and responsibility on sporting director Richard Hughes to conclude transfer business.