Manchester United are ready to rival Arsenal in the race to sign Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa this summer, according to Fichajes.
The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the most durable defenders in the Premier League over recent seasons, missing just 11 league matches across the past four campaigns.
Konsa made 48 appearances in all competitions during the 2025/26 season, playing a vital role in ending Aston Villa’s 30-year wait for a major trophy by helping the club claim the UEFA Europa League.
His impressive club form translated convincingly to the international stage, earning him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man FIFA World Cup squad for England.
Konsa completed an outstanding 97.1% of his passes across his first six starts for England before coming off the bench in the semi-final, where they were eliminated by Argentina.
Arsenal had already been linked with the defender, with Football Talk, citing the Telegraph, reporting that the Gunners expressed interest in signing Konsa this summer.
However, Fichajes now claims that Manchester United are closely monitoring the centre-back ahead of a potential move, looking to pip their rivals to his signature.
Michael Carrick’s side have identified Konsa as the ideal candidate to replace Lisandro Martinez, who has attracted significant interest from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Carrick has reportedly requested a combative centre-back capable of commanding the defensive line, with Konsa’s aerial strength, aggressiveness, tactical intelligence, and physicality all appealing to United’s staff.
Konsa’s contract at Villa Park runs until 2028, and Aston Villa have placed a valuation of between £42 million and £51 million on the defender, meaning any interested club must submit a substantial bid.
United currently have Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire, who recently signed a contract extension, as senior centre-back options, alongside youngsters Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro.
De Ligt’s recurring injury problems, which ruled him out for much of the second half of last season, have increased the urgency for United to bring in a reliable defensive addition.
Arsenal’s interest is equally pressing, with William Saliba’s injury creating a potential vacancy in the Gunners’ backline that the club appears keen to address through a summer signing.
United will need to act quickly and meet Villa’s asking price if they are to win the race ahead of their Premier League rivals and secure Konsa’s services before the summer window closes.