Manchester United are plotting a summer swoop for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The Red Devils need defensive reinforcements following a spate of injuries and have been linked with several players in recent weeks. Under the new minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club are expected to target younger, homegrown talents rather than buying established superstars.
The Mancunian giants, currently sixth in the Premier League table, were interested in Ezri Konsa last summer amid his contractual situation at Aston Villa. However, the Villans were reluctant to lose the England international and decided to double his wages to keep him happy, with the defender signing a new five-year contract in September. Yet, Manchester United reportedly remain admirers of Konsa and could revive their interest in him during the summer transfer window.
Konsa is likely to cost much more than his current market value of £30m due to his consistent performances for Villa this season and contract status. Since arriving at Villa from Brentford in 2019, he has gone on to rack up 155 Premier League appearances, scoring six goals. Having shone for the Midlands outfit since the start of the campaign, the 26-year-old was handed his England debut in March’s friendly against Brazil.
Ezri Konsa could be a smart signing for Man United
Manchester United must significantly improve their squad if they want to get back to challenging for major trophies and silverware in the coming years. Signing a quality central defender should be one of their top priorities in the summer transfer window.
Raphael Varane has been underwhelming since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2021, and he will move on in the summer upon the expiry of his contract. Jonny Evans is past his prime and has struggled with injuries of late, while the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof remain uncertain. Lisandro Martinez has suffered three different injuries this season, affecting the stability of Man United’s backline as a result.
Ezri Konsa could be an ideal addition for the Red Devils, and he will provide physicality, experience, defensive cover and solidity to their backline. Equally capable pf operating at centre-back and right-back, the Englishman’s versatility should appeal to Erik ten Hag and Man United, who are expected to overhaul their defensive unit at the end of the campaign.
At 26, Konsa is entering the prime years of his career and could be tempted to move to Old Trafford. As his contract at Villa Park runs until 2028, Villa will be in no rush to sell him in the summer. So, it will depend on whether Man United are ready to pay a premium to persuade Villa into selling their season’s best defender.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
