Morgan Rogers may already be pulling Arsenal strings as 'unbelievable' player bid prepared
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as they look to cope with William Saliba's injury.
The 25-year-old could miss much of the first half of the season after further aggravating a back issue that he has reportedly been dealing with throughout the World Cup.
Saliba could clearly no longer take the pain and went down in the first half of France's semi-final defeat to Spain, with cameras said to hear him remark that his "back is gone".
Konsa has just two years remaining on his contract at Villa Park and would be able to help Arsenal deal with their issues at right-back, as well covering alongside Gabriel.
Their interest in the defender comes alongside an ongoing pursuit of Morgan Rogers, with an initial bid also expected for the 23-year-old in the coming days.
Villa are said to be hoping to hold out for a fee in the region of £120m for the England international, but financial restrictions may soften that stance.
What Morgan Rogers said about Ezri Konsa
Konsa enjoyed a superb season for Villa and was rewarded with a call-up for England's World Cup squad.
He was named in the starting line-up by Thomas Tuchel six times, even featuring at right-back against Norway.
The 28-year-old was dropped for the semi-final against Argentina that England would ultimately lose, although he had been brought on before both goals.
Still, the World Cup has only worked to increase Konsa's profile further, and the interest from Arsenal is well-founded.
With the Premier League champions in talks to sign Rogers, it is even possible that he was asked to give a reference for Konsa, although England teammates Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice could do the same.
The 23-year-old undoubtedly would have given a glowing response if he had been asked, especially after his recent comments.
"I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest, I think at this World Cup," Rodgers said last week.
"I think the ability that he’s got, he can do everything as a centre-back, never gets beaten in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball. Honestly, I don’t know a flaw in his game, and I think that’s helped Villa that probably a bigger club has not taken him in the last few years.
"I think that’s helped us, because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game, really. It’s nice that he gets the recognition and he can compete on the world stage, and everyone can see how good he actually is.
"I think he does go under the radar massively and in these conversations of the best centre-backs, he is right up there.”
Where would Konsa fit for Arsenal?
Assuming Saliba misses much of the first half of the season, Konsa would likely slot alongside Gabriel in Mikel Arteta's team.
The defender would also be competing with Cristhian Mosquera and potentially Riccardo Calafiori for the position, but represents a far more experienced figure.
Given the persistent injury issues suffered by Ben White and Jurrien Timber in recent months, too, the 28-year-old could even start the season at right-back.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to push the boat out to sign Konsa, however, with a potential double-deal for both Villa players of interest likely to surpass £150m.