Aston Villa are facing a battle to retain two of their most important players, with reports linking Ezri Konsa to Arsenal and Ollie Watkins to Fenerbahce. The Telegraph reports that Arsenal have 'tentative interest' in Konsa, while The Sun claims Turkish giants Fenerbahce are targeting Watkins.
Key players under Unai Emery
Both Konsa and Watkins have been instrumental under manager Unai Emery. In fact, no player has made more appearances for Villa under Emery than Watkins and Konsa, with both ranking among the top five most selected players in the Spaniard's entire managerial career. Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in September 2020, while Konsa also arrived from the same club in July 2019.
Konsa's valuation and Arsenal interest
The Telegraph reports that with two years remaining on his contract, Konsa could be valued at around £60 million, a figure that may exceed what Arsenal are willing to pay. The Premier League champions are said to be more interested in Morgan Rogers, but Villa's £130 million valuation for that player is considered too high. Mikel Arteta is reportedly behind the tentative interest in Konsa.
Watkins and Fenerbahce links
Meanwhile, The Sun cites journalist Ekrem Konur as saying that Fenerbahce want to speak with Watkins after the World Cup. The Turkish club are keen to add the England striker to their squad.
Fan reaction and coverage
BirminghamLive is inviting fans to have their say on whether they would sell either Konsa or Watkins. The publication's dedicated Aston Villa reporter, John Townley, provides comprehensive coverage of the club, including matchdays, press conferences, and transfer stories. Fans can keep up to date via the free daily Aston Villa newsletter, the BirminghamLive app, or the Claret and Blue podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.
