It is all happening at Aston Villa. An settlement with Parma has been reached to signal Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who will signal for round £30m – no matter Emi Martinez’s future.
The 23-year-old Japan worldwide impressed at this summer season’s World Cup, and a deal will go forward, regardless that Emi Martinez‘s proposed switch to Juventus has fallen by way of. But once more, the Argentina shot-stopper has been left in limbo after looking for a manner out of Villa Park.
It has been a summer season of change for Unai Emery and his outfit, who celebrated Europa League triumph in Might and have secured passage again into the Champions League, however have been hit by any variety of setbacks all through summer season.
The record-breaking sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea has been the large one, whereas Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne has left too, stripping this title-winning outfit of their expertise and grit.
It is not achieved but. Arsenal are on the hunt for a defender to exchange the damage William Saliba, and so they’ve set their sights on Ezri Konsa.
Why Aston Villa would possibly promote Ezri Konsa
Konsa is without doubt one of the most skilled members of Emery’s Aston Villa squad. He has been a mainstay from the get-go, and his defensive experience and cool-headed passing landed him a starring position with England on the World Cup.
|
Unai Emery’s Most-used Aston Villa Gamers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Participant |
Apps |
Objectives + Assists |
|
Ollie Watkins |
188 |
79 + 39 |
|
Ezri Konsa |
174 |
6 + 2 |
|
John McGinn |
169 |
24 + 26 |
|
Emi Martinez |
167 |
0 + 1 |
|
Lucas Digne |
157 |
3 + 20 |
However the 28-year-old has entered the penultimate 12 months of his contract within the Midlands, and as reviews counsel that the Gunners are closing in on a transfer for the England star, it is arduous to argue in opposition to the transfer, ought to Villa’s £60m valuation be met.
Within the Premier League final season, Konsa received 73% of his floor battles and accomplished 95% of his passes. Changing him will not be straightforward, for his defensive presence has been crucial to the success of Emery’s challenge lately.
Aston Villa are fairly properly stocked in defence, however they’d lose a few of their ball-winning essence by way of the sale of Konsa. To exchange him, Emery would possibly have to assume exterior the field.
How Aston Villa plan on changing Konsa’s qualities this summer season
If Konsa leaves, Aston Villa might want to draft in a gifted new centre-back, however they might additionally have to pursue a participant of a sure likeness, making certain Emery’s system maintains the sharp defensive edge that has allowed them to energy previous so many opponents lately.
That participant may come within the type of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. In keeping with the Day by day Mail’s Tom Collomosse, a suggestion is anticipated “this week” for the West Ham United right-back, who’s itching to go away east London now that the Irons are down into the Championship. West Ham are anticipated to demand £25m for his signature.
Wan-Bissaka, 28, is not coming off the again of his best season, however he was caught in a wider malaise at West Ham that despatched the membership spiralling down, and he has a wealth of earlier expertise that illustrates his high quality as a tough-tackling, cool-headed presence within the Premier League.
The appropriate-back wouldn’t arrive at Villa Park as a like-for-like Konsa alternative, however would as a substitute instil the type of composure that Aston. Villa would lose if and when Konsa completes a switch to the Emirates.
Lengthy thought to be “an absolute monster” in defence, Wan-Bissaka additionally confirmed throughout the 2024/25 Premier League season that he has variation to his recreation. He averaged 1.8 dribbles per recreation, with a powerful success charge of 60%.
He proved much less sturdy than typical for West Ham final time period, however there is no query that, like Konsa, he is without doubt one of the meanest one-vs-one defenders on the market.
Like Konsa, the DR Congo worldwide, who caught the attention in opposition to England on the World Cup, might be a contact underrated. He’s a Premier League mainstay, and although this would not be essentially the most flashy of signings for Emery’s Aston Villa this summer season, there is no query that it might be a prudent transfer certainly – particularly if Konsa leaves for Arsenal.
