Aston Villa quickly find an unexpected replacement for Ezri Konsa after Arsenal agrees to pay £50m
Ezri Konsa is getting close to joining Arsenal, and Aston Villa have already started looking for someone to take his place in defense. Seven years after signing for Villa from Brentford for £12 million, Konsa is ready to leave the club where he really grew into an England international.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Arsenal have agreed to pay £50 million plus extra fees for the 28-year-old. Konsa is expected to have his medical check on Thursday before officially moving to the Emirates Stadium. He has been on Mikel Arteta’s radar all summer, but it took some time before both clubs agreed on the final deal.
Last season was a big one for Konsa. He played 48 games in all competitions under Unai Emery, helping Villa win the Europa League and secure a spot in the Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Konsa’s departure will leave a big gap in Emery’s defense, and the club is already working to find a new defender. Sky Sports reports that Aston Villa are interested in Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo as one of a few possible replacements.
Chelsea are open to offers for Tosin, who has been training with a secondary squad at their Cobham training ground and has been told he can leave. Tosin joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 2024 from Manchester City and Fulham and has made 70 appearances, scoring seven goals.
However, with players like Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, and new signing Maxence Lacroix ahead of him, Tosin’s chances at Chelsea are limited, so a move seems likely. He still has two years left on his contract and has also attracted interest from Marseille, Benfica, and Sevilla, with Villa now joining the race.
Villa fans might feel a bit unsure about Tosin since he only played 16 Premier League games last season during a disappointing year for Chelsea, finishing 10th. But Tosin would bring some strengths to Villa’s defense, especially his strong aerial skills, which are very useful in both attack and defense.
Tosin’s seven goals for Chelsea show he can be a real threat in the air, and his tall 6ft5 frame helps him defend set pieces well. Villa struggled in this area last season, conceding 15 goals from set pieces, one of the worst records in the league, so Tosin could help improve that.
He ranks in the top 4% of Premier League players for winning aerial duels and the top 13% for defensive work, according to FotMob. Surprisingly, Tosin is also very comfortable with the ball, something Villa fans loved about Konsa. Last season, he was in the top 3% for successful passes and the top 17% for creating big chances, which is pretty impressive for a centre-back.
Depending on Chelsea’s price, Tosin could be a smart and affordable signing for Villa, fitting well with Emery’s plans while helping Chelsea trim their squad.