Arsenal and Liverpool are both keen on Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa this summer, with the Gunners holding a stronger interest, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.

The Gunners have had a decent summer window, completing deals for Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis, while an agreement is in place with Newcastle United for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes too. But the team have been rocked by William Saliba picking up a back injury, which could see him ruled out until 2027.

That has seen the Premier League champions look at options in the market to strengthen their defence, and England international Konsa is someone who has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Romano: Arsenal and Liverpool Like Konsa

David Butler / IMAGN Images via Reuters

Konsa, who has been described as ‘elite’ by Breaking the Lines, emerged as a target following his performances at the World Cup, but talks with Villa saw a £60m valuation, which was seen as too high.

That reportedly opened the door to Liverpool, who are looking for a senior replacement for Ibrahima Konate after he left on a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer, and they are considering the former Watford star as an option too.

While appearing on the GIVEMESPORT Market Madness podcast, reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano was asked about the situation involving the 28-year-old defender, and admitted that it’s Arsenal who are pushing the hardest currently.

“They [Arsenal] will be busy for sure,” he said. “I’m sure.

“On some of the names you ask me: on Konsa, I’m told there is more interest from Arsenal than Liverpool at this stage, but let’s see.

“Still [a] long [time to go]. I think both clubs will be keen on defenders, so there will be movements from now [until] the end of the window.”

Rogers: Konsa ‘One of the Best’ Defenders

England’s Ezri Konsa and John Stones via Reuters/Maria Lysaker

Konsa has seen his reputation within the game grow over the last two seasons in particular, establishing himself as a regular under Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel at the heart of their defences.

His performances for Aston Villa last season saw him make 48 appearances in all competitions, as the team finished fourth in the Premier League and ended a 30-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League. He has also earned the respect of his teammates, with Morgan Rogers singing his praises recently.

“I think at this World Cup, the ability that he’s got and everything that he can do as a centre-back. He never gets beaten, strong in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball. I honestly don’t know a flaw in his game.

“I think that [him not getting enough credit] has helped Villa in terms of nobody from a bigger club taking him in the last few years. I think that’s helped us because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game.”

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026

Liverpool are not currently eyeing up a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Djed Spence despite reports, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.

The Reds are looking to bolster their squad for new manager Andoni Iraola after seeing Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson depart on free transfers this summer, while so far Spaniard Victor Munoz has arrived as a new signing, alongside Jeremy Jacquet, who signed in January for this window.

Robertson’s departure, plus injury to Conor Bradley, has seen the full-back positions emerge as a position the club is reportedly targeting to strengthen, which has seen links to England international Spence, after it emerged he is likely to leave Spurs this summer.

Romano: Liverpool Not Interested in Spence

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Spence enjoyed a fine season with Spurs last season as he helped the team to avoid relegation, before starring at the World Cup with England under Thomas Tuchel, with the Three Lions finishing third.

His ability to play on both flanks is seen as a huge positive for many, but Tottenham are understood to be willing to sanction a move away for the 25-year-old as they are well stocked on full-back options currently and he wants to play regularly.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with the former Middlesbrough star, but when asked about the situation on the Market Madness podcast, Romano revealed that he has been told there is nothing to the rumours.

“Djed Spence, at the moment, I don’t have any concrete information on Liverpool, to be honest,” he said.

“So let’s see if they will jump into the race. But at the moment, I’m told there is not something concrete between Djed Spence and Liverpool so far.”

Spence ‘England’s Best Defender’

Brett Davis via Action Images via Reuters

Spence has been a late bloomer at the top level, having struggled to get game time for Leeds in the Championship during the 2023/24 season, before becoming a regular for England earlier this year.

Thomas Tuchel has sung his praises regularly, calling him the fastest player in the squad, while Arsenal and Man Utd legends Ian Wright and Gary Neville described him as England’s best defender during the World Cup.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Spence as an alternative to Lewis Hall, while the Magpies are also looking at him as a potential replacement for the 21-year-old.

But Liverpool are not currently in the race for his signature despite their squad needs.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026.

Arsenal have suffered a major transfer blow with the news that Vinicius Junior is set to sign a new contract to extend his stay with Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal chiefs and manager Mikel Arteta will be well aware that while the club don’t need a major overhaul of the squad this summer, they also can’t afford to stand still if they want to retain their Premier League title and go one step further in the Champions League by winning it next season.

Their summer transfer window has been underwhelming so far in that regard, with Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier the only arrivals so far, with both likely to be back-up options.

Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes is set to join them in north London after the Gunners agreed a deal worth £75m with their Premier League rivals for the Brazilian, in a statement deal.

Arteta will want more though, with the attacking area one that still needs work, given the Spaniard is yet to land the left-sided player he wants, while the club continue to be linked with new strikers too, such as Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina international is viewed as a dream signing for Arsenal, although his situation is complicated with Real Madrid and Barcelona both making bids for him this summer, and Atletico making it clear they have no interest in selling him to one of their LaLiga rivals.

Arsenal Miss Out on Vinicius Junior Deal

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Arsenal had made the Brazil international their top transfer target as they looked to add a high-profile left-sided attacker to Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the new season, having missed out on signing Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

The Gunners were all in on trying to persuade the 26-year-old to move to the Emirates, but it looks like they have failed in their mission with the Brazilian set to remain at the Bernabeu, according to Romano.

With 128 goals in 376 appearances for Real, it is no surprise that the north Londoners viewed Vinicius as a statement signing who could take them to the next level.

Arsenal Must Seal Bradley Barcola Move Instead

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

If Arsenal want a similarly high-profile player who could be available on the market this summer, they should look no further than Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.

The ‘elite’ France international has decided he doesn’t want to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes, with his deal due to expire in the summer of 2028.

PSG are ready to cash in on the 23-year-old this summer, but they are also demanding that their reported £140m valuation is met by any suitors.

Liverpool are determined to sign Barcola after seeing their bid to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig fall through, but while they are willing to pay around £100m for the Frenchman, there is still a gap in valuation.

Reports suggest that while Barcola is currently prioritising a move to Anfield, he is also ‘open’ to joining the Premier League champions, should they make their move.

Arsenal have a big opportunity to not only hijack their top-flight rivals to sign Barcola, but also land a player of huge quality who showed his top-class finishing ability for his country at the 2026 World Cup.