Aston Villa have £20m bid to sign England international as potential Ezri Konsa replacement rejected

Aston Villa have had an £18million, plus £2m in add-ons bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected by Southampton, talkSPORT understands.

Villa are looking to sign a new centre-back before the end of the summer transfer window on September 1 as Ezri Konsa is on course to leave.

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Premier League champions Arsenal are understood to have verbally agreed a deal worth £50m to sign the 28-year-old.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Fikayo Tomori are among a list of centre-back targets for Villa.

Another option is Harwood-Bellis, although an initial offer has been rebuffed with Saints valuing him at £30m.

Harwood-Bellis is a graduate of the Manchester City academy before making a permanent move to Southampton in 2024.

He initially joined on loan for the 2023/24 season, with his move then made permanent for a £20m fee after promotion to the top flight.

Harwood-Bellis, who is engaged to and is set to have a child with Roy Keane’s daughter Leah, has made 134 appearances in defence for the Saints and been captain on numerous occasions.

The 24-year-old is also an England international as he earned his sole cap and scored against the Republic of Ireland in November 2024.

Who have Villa sold this summer?

Villa have experienced a summer of big change, despite winning the Europa League at the end of last season.

Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne are among the key departures for Unai Emery’s side.

Ollie Watkins has been linked with a sensational move to Saudi club Al Hilal, and Emi Martinez could still leave amid a failed transfer to Juventus.

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Should the pair exit Villa Park along with Konsa, then only five of the starting XI that beat SC Freiburg in the Europa League will be left.

They would be Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, John McGinn and Emi Buendia.

However, Villa have been active in terms of incomings, with Swiss star Johan Manzambi joining in a £51.2m move from Freiburg.

Joao Gomes then joined from West Midlands rivals Wolves for £35m.

On Wednesday, Villa completed the signings of Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Zuzuki.

The former has arrived from Atletico Madrid, whilst the latter signed from Parma.