Morgan Rogers is Arsenal’s main attacking target this summer.
Personal terms with the Aston Villa star are understood to be close to being agreed, but the Gunners’ main transfer priority has changed.
William Saliba reportedly played through the World Cup with a broken back, and Mikel Arteta now urgently wants a defender through the door.
And it’s none other than Rogers’ Villa and England teammate who the Premier League champions are pursuing.
🤔 PICK ONE: Would you rather Arsenal signed Bradley Barcola or Morgan Rogers this summer?
According to Mail Sport, Arsenal are preparing an offer for centre-back Ezri Konsa.
The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at Villa Park and has yet to agree a new deal.
The report claims that Konsa is keeping an open mind on his future, but if he stays, he wants to become one of Villa’s top earners alongside goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
No agreement has been reached on an extension at this stage.
Konsa is currently preparing for Saturday’s World Cup third-place play-off, having been part of the England team eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Ezri Konsa has become Arsenal’s most urgent need
If the reports that Saliba does indeed have a back fracture, then he will obviously face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal can’t afford to enter a title defence without adequate cover at centre-back.
Arsenal fans, what’s your message to Mikel Arteta and Didier Deschamps for making William Saliba play with a broken back?
Cristhian Mosquera is the only natural right-sided centre-back currently in the squad.
Jurrien Timber could cover there, but he has his own fitness concerns. Ben White’s planned departure has surely been reconsidered as a result.
Arteta knows he needs an experienced, proven option, and Konsa is exactly that. And, if needed down the line, the Villa defender can also play at right-back.
Can Arsenal really sign two of Aston Villa’s best players?
There seems to be a fairly steep gap in valuation between the two clubs at the moment.
Villa want around £60million for Konsa, while Arsenal think he is worth closer to £35million. There will need to be a compromise reached for any deal to materialise.
However, due to UEFA spending rules, Villa are aware they must offset any signings with sales, and they are pursuing multiple targets of their own this summer.
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers is also wanted by Arsenal, with Villa demanding at least £100million for their main man.
Getting Konsa and Rogers out of Villa Park in the same window will be no easy feat, and it’s not going to be cheap.
But after Saliba’s injury, Arsenal may have little choice but to push hard on both fronts simultaneously.
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