Andoni Iraola_v4
Ezri Konsa Transfer News: Liverpool have joined Arsenal in the chase for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa after defensive problems forced the Reds back into the market. The Guardian first reported the development, with the Mirror relaying the update, claiming the England international has climbed high on Liverpool’s shortlist before the new Premier League season.
Andoni Iraola heads into the opening fixture against Newcastle United with limited senior options. Joe Gomez picked up an injury during pre-season. Jeremy Jacquet, signed for £55 million, still needs time after a shoulder problem, while Giovanni Leoni continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Virgil van Dijk has missed Liverpool’s United States tour after his extended post-World Cup break, leaving academy players to shoulder heavy minutes.
Liverpool see Konsa as a ready-made solution after Ibrahima Konate’s departure. His record speaks for itself. Since arriving from Brentford in 2019, he has made 286 appearances for Aston Villa and established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders.
Arsenal remain firmly interested because William Saliba suffered a back injury during the World Cup. Villa, though, have set a £60 million asking price for the defender, who is entering the final two years of his contract. That valuation reportedly stretches Arsenal’s current spending plans and has encouraged Liverpool to test the situation.
Ezri Konsa Transfer News shows why Liverpool are pushing
Liverpool’s interest feels far more urgent than Arsenal’s. Iraola needs an experienced centre-back immediately rather than another long-term project. Depending on young defenders across a demanding campaign would carry obvious risks, especially after losing Konate.
Konsa offers reliability every week. During the 2025/26 Premier League season, he played 34 matches, registered one assist and completed 3,036 league minutes. He chipped in with two goals across 12 Europa League appearances as Aston Villa lifted the trophy. England trusted him throughout the 2026 World Cup, where he featured eight times and scored in the 6-4 victory over France during the third-place play-off.
Arsenal have every reason to admire Konsa, yet admiration alone won’t lower Villa’s demands. Mikel Arteta already has major financial commitments after securing Bruno Guimarães and chasing Vinícius Júnior, leaving little room for another £60 million outlay without difficult internal discussions.
Read: Liverpool told to bring back Anfield hero – Should Iraola sign him this summer?
Liverpool approach this chase from a different position. Richard Hughes has a clear gap to fill, plenty of incentive to act quickly and a defender who would slot straight alongside Van Dijk. Villa aren’t showing much appetite to negotiate, so this race could come down to one decision: who agrees to pay the full fee first.