Arsenal granted chance to sign London-born centre-back after decision from rival Prem manager

Steven Gerrard is willing for Aston Villa to cut ties with defender Ezri Konsa, who has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal, a report has claimed.

Konsa has been a regular for Aston Villa this season under the regimes of both Dean Smith and Gerrard. The current head coach has given him 15 of his 26 appearances in 2021-22. Despite that, he could send him elsewhere in the summer.

That’s according to Football Insider, who have reported that Konsa’s agent has been made aware by Gerrard that he ought to consider offers from other clubs.

One of those could be Arsenal, who want to add another centre-back to their ranks, it is claimed. They are currently depending on a partnership of Benjamin White and Gabriel Magalhaes at the back.

It remains to be seen if they will be able to add William Saliba into the mix when he returns from loan at the end of the season. Rob Holding is also at the disposal of manager Mikel Arteta.

With a return of European football – potentially of Champions League level – looking likely, Arsenal will need more depth in 2022-23. With that in mind, they could make a move for Konsa.

The 24-year-old was born in London and went on to play for Charlton Athletic and Brentford in the capital. Since 2019, he has been plying his trade for Aston Villa.

Konsa has established himself as the main centre-back partner for Tyrone Mings at Villa Park. Despite this, Football Insider claim Gerrard could sacrifice him to make room for another defensive signing.

Konsa could be Aston Villa casualty

Villa are likely to spend heavily again in the summer and defence could be one area to feel the benefits. They signed Calum Chambers from Arsenal in that territory in January; now Konsa could move in the opposite direction as the evolution continues.

Gerrard feels he could secure a more reliable or consistent option. Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has been suggested as a major target, for example.

Reports elsewhere have suggested Gomez may prefer to stay at Gerrard’s former club and fight for his place. If not, though, Villa would be an interesting destination for the England international.

Before they can work out whether they are pursuing Gomez or someone else, though, it appears Villa must offload a current option like Konsa. He will have a few admirers, but Arsenal are among the main ones.

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