Sources: Aston Villa doing ‘everything they can’ to stop Ezri Konsa joining Arsenal

Aston Villa are extremely reluctant to lose centre-back Ezri Konsa this summer amid fresh interest from Arsenal, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Gunners have emerged as a potential suitor for the England international, but Villa are ready to make life “difficult” for them when it comes to striking a deal. 

Unai Emery is determined to keep the key areas of his squad intact ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League, and has no desire to lose a player like Konsa, especially to a Premier League rival. 

Sources have indicated that the Villans are prepared to do “everything they can” in order to keep hold of the 28-year-old, who still has two years remaining on his contract. 

Konsa failed to start in just two Premier League games last term, and has already been earmarked for a similarly influential role under Emery in 2026-27. 

He has also started all five of England’s World Cup games so far, and starred in the dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in the last 16. 

Unai Emery determined to keep Ezri Konsa

Villa are facing a big summer in the transfer market, as they prepare to go toe to toe with Europe’s best once again next season. 

Emery is well aware that he will need a deep and high-quality group if he is to balance a strong Champions League run with another successful year in the Premier League. 

With that in mind, there is little interest from the Spaniard to lose any of his current crop, no matter what level of money were to be put on the table. 

Konsa is one of the first names on the team sheet for the Villans at the moment, and the club don’t want that to change any time soon. 

Arsenal have identified him as a player who could improve their already impressive defence, but it will be a hugely difficult deal for them to strike ahead of next season. 

Villa still have security on Konsa’s contract at the moment, and are unlikely to have their stance changed unless a truly irrefusable offer is put forward. 

Aston Villa to block midfield exits amid Ilaix Moriba chase

Football Insider revealed last week that Villa’s pursuit of Celta Vigo star Ilaix Moriba will not mean a midfielder will be shown the door at Villa Park this summer.

Emery is keen to keep all of his strongest options in the middle of the park, and is even looking to add further depth there after the likes of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara suffered lengthy spells on the sidelines last term. 

Moriba has emerged as a clear target for the Villans, who are hoping that they could be able to strike a deal with Celta in the region of the £10m-£15m mark. 

The Spanish side are holding out for £25m to alleviate their PSR concerns, but Villa are not willing to oblige to a full-price deal.