Aston Villa star attracting Manchester City interest ahead of impending John Stones contract decision

Manchester City and Tottenham are interested in signing Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa, as per a new report.

Konsa has established himself as one of England’s best centre-halves in recent years and is a strong contender to start for the Three Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he continues to impress under Unai Emery.

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City did not address their defence in their summer squad revamp and have allowed John Stones, 31, to enter the final year of his contract in the backdrop of another season marred by recurring fitness issues.

Manuel Akanji was allowed to join Inter Milan on a season-long loan in the final days of the summer transfer window, with Nathan Ake also facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium beyond his current deal, which expires in 2027.

Ake made his first Premier League start since February in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Everton last week, with question marks over the Netherlands international’s fitness and longevity as the Blues build a new-look side to challenge for major trophies in the seasons to come.

Manchester City’s backline was their flagship Achilles Heel last season as the Blues suffered a dire personnel crisis in the fall of 2024, which forced the board’s hand to sanction the emergency January signings of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

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Kyle Walker left on loan mid-season last term and each of Ruben Dias, Stones, Ake and Akanji served time on the sidelines at various stages of the 2024-25 campaign as Manchester City endured their most challenging season under Guardiola and recorded their lowest points tally (71) in the Premier League under the Catalan.

Despite their issues in defence last season, Manchester City’s newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana did not refresh the backline in his first summer at the Etihad Stadium, with the Blues making seven new signings – including three new goalkeepers.

According to TBR Football, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and are battling Tottenham for the signature of the England international, who is under contract at Villa Park till the summer of 2028.

Konsa has attracted widespread interest from clubs in the Premier League and abroad, with Villa expected to tie one of their best players to a new deal sooner rather than later to fend off interest in the 28-year-old defender. However, with Reis on loan at Girona, City will look to recall the young Brazilian before making fresh signings from the transfer market.

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It is also worth nothing that Manchester City are unlikely to sign a defender at 28 years of age – as has been evident from their transfer policy over the years – with Viana and co looking to build a young, hungry side that can grow accustomed to Guardiola’s methods in the seasons to come.

Konsa would no doubt improve some aspects of the Manchester City backline and the London-born defender’s injury record is very impressive, but it doesn’t seem as it the Blues will pursue this signing should they once again decide to enter the market for defensive reinforcements next summer.