Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new defender for Arsenal (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have reopened talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Ezri Konsa and decided the maximum fee they will pay for the England defender. Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new defender before the summer transfer window closes after losing William Saliba for an ‘extended period’. Saliba injured his back during France’s World Cup campaign and will miss at least the start of the new Premier League campaign. Arsenal were admirers of Konsa even before Saliba’s injury setback but have stepped up their interest since the World Cup finished. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Konsa, 28, has made almost 300 appearances for Aston Villa since joining the Midlands club from Brentford in 2019, helping them qualify for the Champions League and last season win the Europa League. The Charlton academy graduate has also become a regular for England and featured heavily at this summer’s World Cup under Thomas Tuchel. Arsenal first held talks with Villa last month but negotiations stalled due to a disagreement over a fee for Konsa. Aston Villa and England star Ezri Konsa (Picture: PA) According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League champions have reopened talks with Aston Villa as they try to bring Konsa to north London. However, Villa want £60m for the England star and The Times say in a separate report that Arsenal have so far only shown a willingness to pay £45m. Konsa has not featured in any of Aston Villa’s pre-season fixtures as he was given extra time off following England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals. He is expected to feature in their Premier League opener against Brighton on August 23, however, unless a move to Arsenal materialises. Arsenal’s William Saliba suffered an injury at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) Konsa is believed to be open to joining the Gunners, who clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 last season while reaching the final of the Champions League. Arsenal begin their title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City a week on Friday but will be without star defender Saliba. ‘William Saliba has returned to us from World Cup duty, where he played an integral role in France reaching the semi-finals of the competition,’ Arsenal said in a statement. ‘Subsequent specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation. ‘Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme. ‘William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period. ‘Everyone is fully focused on supporting William to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
