Arsenal 'prepare second offer' for England star as Rogers deal causes complication

Aston Villa are expecting Arsenal to submit a second offer for Ezri Konsa after an opening bid fell short of their £60million valuation. Sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be looking at potential defensive signings due to William Saliba's back injury that is expected to keep him out for several months.

Konsa emerged as an option for Arsenal in July following a strong season at Villa Park. During the World Cup, a 'low-ball offer' was lodged to Villa and was quickly turned down with it said to have left a sour taste.

His former team-mate Morgan Rogers was of firm interest to the Gunners before he completed a staggering £117m move to Chelsea. The bid for Konsa did not help Arsenal's chances of signing Rogers, and could yet impact Mikel Arteta's side in any deal for the English defender.

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Arsenal, however, are unlikely to give up hope of signing him as per the Daily Mail, who have also claimed that Villa are bracing for a fresh proposal from north London.

Following their first bid, Konsa is said to have remained on Arsenal's radar while Villa are hoping for him to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2028.

Having acquired over £150m from selling Rogers and Youri Tielemans, Villa are not under financial pressure to sell. Those key departures also will seemingly harden Unai Emery's stance on Konsa, with an exit unlikely to be sanctioned unless a deal for a suitable replacement is lined up.

Konsa is entering the final stages of his three-week break following the World Cup. Players that reached the quarter-finals in the tournament have returned this week which has seen two Arsenal deals ramp up.

A deal for Bruno Guimaraes is in the process of being finalised with Newcastle United to receive £75m for their captain.

His fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr is also being targeted with his Real Madrid future remaining uncertain as he has just 12 months remaining on his current deal.

Completing both of those transfers is seemingly Arsenal's priority this summer, with a pursuit of Konsa expected to be formalised after that - despite the difficulties in getting a deal done for the England defender.

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