Aston Villa close in on £12m deal for England U21 international

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Brentford defender Ezri Konsa in a deal worth £12m, claims Sky Sports.

The newly promoted Premier League outfit have been one of the busiest teams this summer having already made six permanent signings.

Dean Smith is hoping to bring in as many as nine new faces this summer and it has now emerged he is close to raiding former club Brentford for highly rated centre-back Konsa.

Konsa, who was part of England’s squad for the U21 European Championships earlier this summer, is free to leave Brentford after the Bees signed Leeds centre-back Pontus Jansson at the start of the week.

Fulham were reportedly keen on signing the 21-year-old on a season-long loan deal but Villa are prepared to pay serious cash in order to secure his services permanently.

Villa’s pursuit of Konsa surely spells the end of their interest in Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe, who spent last season on loan at Villa Park.

Smith was hopeful of re-signing Tuanzebe on loan or permanently but the youngster looks set for first-team action at United after signing a new deal with the Red Devils.

Konza started all but four league games for Brentford last season and racked up more minutes playing time in the Championship than any other player at the club (3752).