Arsenal are now being linked with a second Aston Villa star as they continue to mull over a potential big-money move for Morgan Rogers this summer. The Gunners have some careful squad planning to do this summer, hoping to take the next step up again after winning the Premier League but coming up short in the Champions League final.

Only penalties separated Arsenal from PSG in the final, but if Mikel Arteta is totally honest with himself, he will know PSG are currently another level above. But the Gunners are well on their way to becoming a dominant force, and they will believe they can get there with some careful recruitment this summer.

Arsenal want a new left-winger and likely a top number 8, and while they will likely have to replace some squad players who could be lured away, Arteta will want to be careful not to over-tinker with the core of his squad.

Arsenal linked with second Aston Villa squad

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are interested in a move for Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa this summer. It’s reported Konsa is valued at £60million by the Midlands side, and that they may have to sell one of their big-money players this summer if they want to keep hold of Rogers.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Rogers, but with a reported asking price ranging from £100million to £130million, a deal could be out of the question. The Gunners may feel there is better value elsewhere, but they could take advantage of Villa’s determination to keep their prize talent.

Aware Villa may need to sell another player, Arsenal could move for Konsa, who is representing England at this World Cup. Arsenal do not strictly need a new centre-back, already able to call upon Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, who all either specialise in the middle or are able to play there.

But after they were left short on the right side of defence for the Champions League final, with Ben White out and Timber having been struggling for fitness, it has been floated that the Gunners could strengthen on the right this summer. And if there is one thing we know about Arteta and his defensive preferences, is that he likes to sign defenders who can also play full-back, and Konsa fits the bill, able to comfortably play right-back.

The question is whether Arsenal are willing to commit so much money to a position they don’t really need to strengthen, but there could yet be an exit among one of the defenders mentioned this summer.

Konsa an ‘outstanding’ defender

David Butler / IMAGN Images via Reuters

Konsa is coming off a superb season with Villa, following it up with steady performance at the World Cup. Former Villa boss Dean Smith, who signed Konsa twice in his career, said of the defender while on BBC 5Live: “He was one that was flagged up by the recruitment department at Brentford. I went to watch him against Shrewsbury in the playoffs. I remember he was playing right back at the time. He came in, he’s athletic, he’s good in the air, he’s a good defender.

“Man City played at Villa, I think it was last season, and Jack had come up to me after the game, and he was like, ‘I was thinking, I hope Ezri’s not playing it right-back, because I don’t want to be playing 1v1 against him.’

“I think that’s his biggest strength. He’s really calm on the ball, but 1v1 defending is outstanding.”

Manchester United have been dealt a number of blows during this transfer window in their bid to upgrade their midfield, and now they are being forced to look at alternative options.

The Red Devils had made Elliot Anderson their top target for the window, but he has left Nottingham Forest to sign for Man City in a club-record £116m deal, while Mateus Fernandes was also at the top of their shortlist, but they were gazumped by Tottenham Hotspur and he has moved to the north London club for £85m.

Now Michael Carrick and INEOS are looking at a number of alternative options that they could bring into the squad, and one star who has been shining at the World Cup has emerged as a potential target.

Man Utd Eyeing Tyler Adams Deal

According to BBC Sport, Man Utd are eyeing a potential move to sign Bournemouth star Tyler Adams this summer.

Adams, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has enjoyed a fine campaign at the Vitality Stadium with the Cherries, and is now part of the USMNT team at the World Cup this summer that has been performing exceedingly well, reaching the Round of 16 so far.

United have already completed a deal to bring in Ederson from Atalanta as one option, but at least two more midfielders are expected to be brought in to Old Trafford following news of Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury.

Adams is Premier League-proven, has plenty of years ahead of him, and could be seen as an ideal replacement for Casemiro with his defensive mindset and experience at the highest level.

It’s unclear how much a deal would cost, but Bournemouth are unlikely to be willing to sell him easily, as they prepare to feature in European competition for the first time in their history.

Man Utd and Adams Would Be Underwhelming

While Adams’ skillset and profile does fit what Man Utd are reportedly looking for for their squad, it’s hard to see how fans wouldn’t be somewhat underwhelmed by the American star.

Defensively, Adams has got a terrific engine, is a top tackler and is not afraid to put his foot in where it hurts. It’s also fair to say that he would be on the cheaper end of the cost scale compared to previous targets. But considering the names that have been linked with a move, Adams seems to be a level below that at least.

For the right fee it could be a good bit of business, but United would need to find a way to get fans on side over a deal for the former Leeds star.

Belgium’s Rudi Garcia has taken to social media after his comments following their 3-2 victory over Senegal at the 2026 World Cup sparked outrage.

Belgium looked like they were going to head out of the competition when they trailed Senegal by two goals going into the final few minutes of their last 32 match at Seattle Stadium.

However, they produced an unlikely comeback to shock their African opponents and emerge victorious.

Romelu Lukaku, who started the match on the bench, gave Belgium hope as he halved the deficit with four minutes remaining. Youri Tielemans headed home shortly after to send the match into extra-time.

Belgium were then given a spot-kick in the dying embers of extra-time when Tielemans was felled inside the box. The Aston Villa midfielder made no mistake as he dispatched his penalty with aplomb to give his side the victory.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Garcia caused a stir after the match with comments he made about Senegal ‘losing tactical control’ in the final minutes. He said, per Goal:

Garcia was asked to clarify those comments during his post-match press conference. He said: “No, no, I didn’t say that. You’re misinterpreting my words. Senegal deserved to go through as much as we did.

“I said that when you’re ahead, and that’s the case for all teams in the world, you tend to drop back and try to protect your goal. We pushed forward, and they dropped back. And I think if we hadn’t scored the second goal, we would never have come back.”

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Garcia has now taken to social media to defend himself even further following the backlash. He wrote in a statement on X:

“My comments were by no means aimed at African teams; they could just as easily have applied to Asian, South American, or European teams unfamiliar with that kind of pressure.

“As a less experienced coach myself, I learned the hard way that stopping play to defend a result at all costs is counterproductive. That is what I had in mind when I said that such teams can lose their tactical shape in those moments.”

Belgium will face co-hosts USA in the last 16 of the competition. The match will take place at Seattle Stadium on Monday, July 6.