"That will be a shock to me" - Journalist drops verdict on surprise Aston Villa star exit claim
It would be a “shock” if Aston Villa listened to offers for defender Ezri Konsa in the summer, says journalist Pete O’Rourke.
If reports are to be believed, then the 24-year-old could be one player who manager Steven Gerrard is willing to let go at the end of the season.
According to Football Insider, Villa will listen to offers for Konsa when the transfer window reopens.
The same report also states that Gerrard is not entirely convinced by the centre-back, having concerns over his reliability and consistency.
£22.5m-rated Konsa has been a regular for the Villans this season, playing in over 20 Premier League games under Gerrard and former boss Dean Smith.
Nevertheless, it seems he could quickly find himself surplus to requirements as Smith’s successor looks to continue building the squad in his own image.
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For O’Rourke, it would be a shock if Villa allowed Konsa to leave this summer.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: “It’s a surprising one to me. For me, when I watch Villa, most times, I think Konsa’s their best centre-half. So that will be a shock to me if they were willing to listen to offers.
“We know Villa are in the market for central defensive reinforcements in the summer, but for me, it will be a shock to see Villa willing to let Konsa go.”
In terms of central defenders that could come in at Villa, one name that is not going away is Liverpool star Joe Gomez.
Again, Football Insider has claimed that the 24-year-old was a target in January and is still on the club’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
He has barely played this season, making just one start in the Premier League, which came at right-back in a