Charlton boss Robinson admits Premier League interest in Konsa

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

Charlton Athletic manager Karl Robinson has revealed that Premier League clubs have contacted them about youngster Ezri Konsa.

The 19-year-old has burst onto the scene for the Addicks in the last couple of seasons, and it now looks as if the club will have a fight on their hands to keep him at The Valley for much longer.

“We’re getting phone calls about Ez from Premier League clubs,” Robinson told News Shopper.

“They’ve been asking for a price tag, we’ve got a high one. The boy won’t go until they meet our criteria. It’s the same [as] with Ademola Lookman [who Charlton sold to Everton in January for £11m].

“My argument is if we sell players, there has to be money put back into the team to go forward, otherwise you’re devaluing your own team.

“The Ademola money went for more infrastructural reasons. Did I like that as a manger? No, but we have to have a base at this academy that makes great players for the next 10, 15, 20 years.

“I want to make sure that it’s not about a selfish immediate gain. But I think if Ezri Konsa goes, people have to be aware we’ve done it before with Ademola.

“We have to have an injection to make this team better again. There’s a difference now where we’ve started to build ourselves.”

Centre-back Konsa has made a massive impact for Charlton since his debut against Cheltenham in August 2016, making 50 appearances for the club in all competitions.