Arsenal Pursue Ezri Konsa Amid Aston Villa Rebuild
Aston Villa have seen an £18 million bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis knocked back by Southampton, with the Championship club standing firm over one of their key assets, according to The Athletic.
Unai Emery wants defensive reinforcements as Villa brace themselves for the departure of Ezri Konsa, who is on the verge of a £51 million move to Arsenal, plus add-ons. Harwood-Bellis is understood to be one of three names on Villa’s shortlist, and the Midlands club have now tested Southampton’s resolve.
They are not alone. Benfica have already had an opening offer of around £17 million rejected, underlining Southampton’s position as they push for a fee that reflects the England Under-21 defender’s importance and potential.
Wright fumes over Lewis-Skelly saga
Away from transfers at the back, Ian Wright has turned his fire on Arsenal over the uncertainty surrounding Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The highly rated youngster has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United despite making it clear he wants to stay at the Emirates. Wright is furious it has been allowed to drift into a full-blown saga.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright said: "I don’t know where that’s coming from because I know for a fact that’s not coming from his team.
"It’s not coming from his mum. Arsenal fans need to chill out with his mum saying that she’s touting him about. Myles has already said he’s happy to say. Why have Arsenal not just said he’s not for sale?
"He’d be a great signing for Manchester United, of course he would. Look what he’s doing."
For Wright, the issue is simple: Arsenal should shut the door publicly and end the noise.
New season, new tweaks: rule changes explained
As the Premier League prepares to return, several rule changes will alter the rhythm of games.
If play is stopped for an injury, the affected player must now leave the pitch for at least one minute, up from the previous 30 seconds. The idea is to discourage time-wasting disguised as treatment and keep the game moving.
VAR will also have a slightly different role. A review can now take place for second yellow cards, but only when a player has clearly been shown a wrong second booking. It will not be used to check incidents where a second yellow might have been given but wasn’t.
Set pieces will be policed more strictly. A five-second countdown will be used for delaying throw-ins and goal-kicks. Go beyond that and the restart will be reversed: the throw-in goes to the opposition, or a delayed goal-kick becomes a corner to the other side.
Substitutions will speed up too. Players have 10 seconds to leave the pitch when being replaced. If they overrun that limit, the incoming substitute must wait until the next stoppage in play, after at least one minute has passed.
Some of the more radical ideas seen at the World Cup will not be coming to England. Matches will not be split into quarters; drinks breaks will only be allowed when the temperature at kick-off exceeds 30 degrees Celsius.
VAR’s scope will not be expanded to overturn incorrectly awarded corners. Replays may show an error, but the original decision stands.
There is also clarification on mistaken identity in diving incidents. The Switzerland–Argentina case involving Breel Embolo highlighted confusion, but a yellow card can only be reviewed to correct which player committed the offence. The decision to book for simulation itself cannot be changed.
As for talk of red cards for players covering their mouths, the existing three-step discrimination protocol in stadiums remains in place for player-reported abuse, with no new automatic dismissal for that specific gesture.
Gyokeres focused on Arsenal, not Barcelona
Viktor Gyokeres has underlined that his attention is fixed firmly on Arsenal amid links to Barcelona.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the Swede played down talk of an exit and instead looked ahead to the new campaign.
"I’m looking forward a lot, it’s going to be nice to start a league campaign again and to start against my old club.
"It’s a great way to start at home so I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t played against them so of course it’s going to be nice to see a few of them that are still there and meet the fans as well."
His message is clear: any noise about Barcelona can wait. The focus is on the season ahead.
Keane unconvinced by United midfield
Roy Keane has delivered a stark assessment of Manchester United’s title credentials, insisting their midfield is still short of the standard required to win the Premier League, even with Carlos Baleba on the way in.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "If you’re on about winning the league, I think it’s (United's midfield) short. United’s big problems are still going to be defensively.
"That midfield and going forward, there is a big goal threat at United, they were very good last year with it, especially when Carrick took over they were a real goal threat.
"But the issue is at the back, the full-backs and the two centre-halves are still a big issue. But on paper, they [the midfield] jump out as really good players. But is there a league-winning midfield there? Probably not. No, I don’t see it."
Keane sees goals, but not yet a complete structure.
Curtis Jones closing in on Inter switch
Curtis Jones is edging towards a move to Inter Milan, with the Liverpool midfielder expected in Italy today for a medical, according to reports there.
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Jones has agreed a five-year contract with the Serie A champions. Inter have tabled an offer in the region of £30 million for the homegrown midfielder, and the expectation is that he will complete a move to San Siro.
Jones is in the final year of his Liverpool deal and there has been no progress on an extension, opening the door for a significant change of scenery.
Barcelona back away from Alvarez chase
Barcelona have stepped back from a move for Julian Alvarez this summer, with Atletico Madrid’s hardline stance forcing sporting director Deco to explore other options.
Speaking about the club’s search for attacking reinforcements, Deco laid out the scale of the challenge after losing Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
"We've lost two players in attack, Lewy and Ferran. I think we have solutions to cover Ferran with the signings we have made. Replacing Robert is much more difficult. It's really tough to replace a player like him.
"We have some internal solutions, but we have to look [what's available]. There is a lot of noise. I think there will be more movement, we are still working hard."
Barcelona will now have to unearth an alternative to lead their line.
Arsenal push on for Konsa as Villa plan rebuild
At the heart of all this sits one of the window’s most intriguing subplots: Arsenal’s pursuit of Ezri Konsa and the domino effect it triggers at Aston Villa.
Arsenal are closing in on an agreement with Villa for the 28-year-old, who has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s preferred option for a right-sided defensive role. With William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both ruled out of the start of the Premier League season through long-term injuries, Arsenal’s back line needs help — and quickly.
Konsa’s ability to operate both at centre-back and right-back is a major attraction for Arteta, who values defenders comfortable in multiple positions.
The Athletic report that, while the deal is not yet done, talks are advancing and discussions have taken place at ownership level to narrow the gap in valuations. Arsenal have so far been prepared to go to around £40 million. Villa rate Konsa closer to £60 million.
Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block.
If Arsenal finally hit the number Villa want, Konsa’s move could set off a chain reaction: Villa cashing in on a key defender, turning to targets like Harwood-Bellis, and reshaping their back line on the eve of a new season.
