Arsenal remain interested in Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa despite opening talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for his England team-mate Jarell Quansah.
Mikel Arteta is looking to reinforce his defence before the transfer window closes, with both Konsa and Quansah fitting the profile Arsenal want because of their ability to operate at centre-back and right-back.
However, a significant difference in valuation remains between Arsenal and Aston Villa over Konsa.
Villa are understood to want around £60 million for the 28-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract. Arsenal have so far shown no willingness to get close to that figure.
The Guardian previously reported that Arsenal had an offer of around £30m rejected for Konsa. Liverpool also considered the England international this summer but were discouraged by Villa’s £60m valuation.
That leaves Arsenal with a major decision over whether to significantly improve their proposal or focus their efforts on Quansah.
The Gunners opened discussions with Bayer Leverkusen on Friday over the former Liverpool defender. Quansah joined the Bundesliga club for an initial £30m last summer and impressed during his first season in Germany.
Leverkusen are reluctant to sell the 23-year-old and are reportedly looking for at least €50m (£43m). Quansah signed a five-year contract when he moved from Liverpool, leaving the German club in a strong negotiating position.
Like Konsa, Quansah offers Arteta valuable versatility. Although primarily a centre-back, he can also operate on the right side of defence and featured there for England during this summer’s World Cup.
Arsenal’s search for another defender has taken on greater urgency because of fitness concerns involving William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Saliba is recovering from a back problem aggravated during the World Cup, while Timber remains several weeks away from returning as he works his way back from a persistent groin injury.
That has encouraged Arsenal to explore the market for a defender capable of covering multiple positions without necessarily restricting Arteta to one target.
Konsa was absent from Aston Villa’s squad for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain because he remains on his post-World Cup holiday, according to Sky Sports News.
Villa have little incentive to lower their demands. Konsa remains an important member of Unai Emery’s squad and is regarded as one of the club’s dependable senior players heading into the new Premier League campaign.
Arsenal must therefore decide whether to test Villa’s resolve with a substantially improved offer or concentrate on reaching an agreement with Leverkusen for Quansah.
Either route could prove expensive, but Arsenal’s continued interest in both players suggests Arteta is determined to strengthen his defensive options before the window shuts.
