Aston Villa £25m transfer blocked as star set for new contract

Aston Villa are considering handing Ezri Konsa a new contract according to reports.

The 25-year-old has been ever-present for Unai Emery’s side this season and has kept three clean sheets in Villa’s seven games so far.

He has impressed first-team boss Unai Emery and has been able to hold down a place in the team through various different managers. Konsa’s contract doesn’t expire in the short term, but his form could see him rewarded with an extension.

Daily Mail journalist Tom Collomosse said in a tweet: "Ezri Konsa is in line for a new #avfc contract after continuing his impressive progress under Unai Emery. Konsa has been a mainstay under all managers at Villa.”

Konsa is under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2026 and there is an option to extend it by a further year. Villa could use that option or hand him a new contract which would likely give him a pay increase.

The Newham-born defender has made 145 appearances to date for the Villains since joining from Brentford in the summer of 2019. He alternated between centre-back and right-back and is pushing to be a part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Villa’s preferred system of a back three makes Konsa an important player in their system. Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, and Konsa have all formed a solid relationship among the back three, and the club will want to keep that trio together for as long as possible.

In other news, CaughtOffside claimed that Villa had made an approach to Juventus for midfielder Weston McKennie.

McKennie had an ill-fated spell at Leeds United and suffered relegation, and whilst early enquiries were said to be made, they were said to be put off by his ‘exaggerated price tag’ of £25m.

The 25-year-old has remained with the Serie A outfit and has so far played four games for them this term. Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion were said to have held an interest too.