Manager Karl Robinson has admitted he can’t rule out a move for Charlton Athletic youngster Ezri Konsa with clubs like Everton linked with him.
The 19 year old centre half has only increased his stock over the summer, helping England’s Under 20 squad to their World Cup success, and the South London Press have reported that they understand we have already turned down a £3.5million offer for him from Everton – they took Ademola Lookman from us earlier in the year.
With 39 appearances to Konsa’s name in his breakthrough year though, Everton you would expect aren’t the only side sniffing around.
Robinson knew a quick way to end this type of speculation would be to close the window ahead of campaigns kicking off.
‘I`m an advocate for the transfer window to stop today. Not when the season has started. That would stop everything. As you well know, the Premier League season starts and there could be one or two injuries or a team doesn`t start too well – there can be a knock-on effect to all the work we`ve done in the summer.’
Robinson went on to say.
‘Our scouting list is like a Premier League league table for all our games and I can`t imagine they are coming to watch me and Lee Bowyer talking on the sidelines. We understand there is going to be massive interest from Ezri Konsa. We get that. You look at our back four, who do we go with? Jason Pearce and Patrick Bauer? Pearce and Ez? Konsa and Bauer? That`s not forgetting Naby Sarr and Harry Lennon. Naby has shocked one or two people.’
Adding.
‘Ezri is a talent. If teams start really well and feel comfortable they may well bring in one for the future, let them learn from them and get them ready for the following season. I`ve been in this position before where you say a player will be staying and made to look a liar. I`ve also said a player is definitely going and we didn`t get a deal done.’
As for Konsa more specifically, he ended by explained.
‘If a price comes in for Ez that is right, I don`t think you can say no. That`s not being negative or a lack of ambition. If an offer comes in for anybody that is well above our valuation then you have to seriously think about it. But we haven`t had one.’
