Aston Villa hold firm on stars as Konsa talks loom
Villa’s league games moved: Arsenal at home Mon 31 Aug 20:00, Hull away Sat 5 Sep 17:30, Nott’m Forest at home Sat 12 Sep, Spurs away Sat 19 Sep 12:30.
Arsenal are monitoring Ezri Konsa after his England World Cup and Europa League success, but Aston Villa are determined to keep the defender and are working to resist any summer move.
A British record £130m fee is reported as the level that could open talks for Arsenal to negotiate with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers, though Villa are adamant they do not want to sell. Manchester United’s narrowing shortlist includes Jacob Ramsey among several names in separate reports.
FC Annecy fans criticise V Sports’ multi-club model and fear a future majority takeover, despite Villa likely planning further loans such as Mohamed Kone, Kadan Young and Zepiqueno Redmond.
Sheffield Wednesday’s move for Louie Barry is advancing, with Aston Villa prepared to accept a more modest up-front fee and larger add-ons to facilitate a permanent transfer.
Amadou Onana has suffered an ACL injury and is out of the World Cup, with an expected absence of six to nine months. It is a major blow for Unai Emery’s side with Boubacar Kamara already sidelined, and Villa may now seek a midfield signing.
Villa target PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye, with reports they have moved ahead of Tottenham in the race for the highly rated winger.
Ollie Watkins hails Ezri Konsa as ‘one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League’. Konsa has started every England World Cup match, impressing with his distribution and defensive work, according to the report’s data references.
Villa are monitoring River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran, 21, after UEFA sanctions left them working under tighter budget constraints. There have been no talks yet, with a reported release clause of about £18.3m. Any move may depend on Emiliano Martínez’s future.
Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres will hold Aston Villa contract talks. With UEFA spending limits biting, Villa prioritise renewals over signings. Konsa played in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico.
Como have set a huge asking price for Martin Baturina amid interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, with Spurs in talks to sign the attacking midfielder.
Villa have joined Ipswich in the race for Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill after his World Cup heroics for San Lorenzo, with Torino, Lazio, Fiorentina and Feyenoord also interested.
Mark Draper reflects with pride on winning the 1996 League Cup with Aston Villa and discusses Brian Little’s balanced side on the Official Aston Villa Podcast.
Villa may sell academy players with buybacks to meet SCR and financial rules, but Bradley Burrowes and George Hemmings will be assessed in pre-season and would only leave on loan if at all.
