Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka 'key role' in luring Aston Villa star to Arsenal

Arsenal are being backed to push forward in their pursuit of Ezri Konsa as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his defensive options.

The 28-year-old has emerged as a leading target for the Gunners, who have been impressed by his performances in the Premier League and for England at the World Cup.

A new injury blow to William Saliba, which could see him ruled out for as long as five months, is set to force Arsenal into the transfer market with multiple options on their radar.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Konsa is the outstanding candidate for Arsenal despite the number of targets being considered.

His Premier League and international experience, ability to play both at centre-back and right-back, and relationship with some current Arsenal stars are set to be key.

Unai Emery is understandably reluctant to lose another star player this summer, which could make the move complicated, by Arteta believes the player can be convinced.

Could Arsenal make a move to sign Ezri Konsa?

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Arsenal are plotting a move to sign Konsa after he emerged as one of the leading targets in his position.

After spending the World Cup as part of the England squad, the likes of Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka are likely to be talking up the chances of a move.

That will come as a boost to Arsenal's chances of reaching an agreement, with the centre-back now emergin as their top target to strengthen at the back.

"It's no surprise that Arsenal are looking at Ezri Konsa," Brown told Football Insider.

"Interest from Arsenal is bound to be there, they want a player in his position and they've been impressed by him, but as far as Emery is concerned, he is not for sale.

"For Arsenal, he ticks so many boxes in terms of what they're looking for, and he is their number-one target for that position.

"He's a very dependable centre-back, can play at right-back as well which is something Mikel Arteta likes, and he's just come back from a strong World Cup campaign.

"I have no doubt that while he was away with England, he would've been speaking to Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, all of the Arsenal players in that squad.

"They will have been trying to sell the move to him, it's something that happens more than you might expect, especially on international duty. That will play a key role.

"Obviously, Aston Villa won't want to let him go, but it might be difficult to keep hold of him if he wants to move on."

How do Aston Villa feel about selling Konsa this summer?

Despite Arsenal's growing interest in Konsa and the possibility of the Gunners lodging a bid, whether or not the defender moves on will depend on Aston Villa's stance.

Should Konsa be lured away from Villa Park, he would follow the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne, in a huge blow to Villa's squad.

As a result, Brown told Football Insider on 21 July that Unai Emery will look to block Konsa joining Arsenal amid growing concerns about his squad being weakened.

After an impressive World Cup campaign with England which ended with a bronze medal, Konsa will take a short break before returning to Villa Park for pre-season training.

Emery is determined not to have the heart of his team ripped out after qualifying for the Champions League, despite suffering some major departures already.