Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, with negotiations between the two clubs now at an advanced stage.
The move has accelerated after Arsenal suffered defensive injury problems, with William Saliba facing an extended spell out and Jurrien Timber also unavailable. Mikel Arteta has therefore made strengthening the defence a priority before the new season gets fully underway.
Konsa has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, leaving the two clubs to finalise the transfer fee. The 28-year-old still has two years remaining on his Aston Villa contract, so Villa are in a strong position when it comes to negotiations.
Arsenal had shown interest in Konsa earlier in the summer but initially struggled to reach Villa’s valuation. The situation has now changed significantly, with talks progressing and both sides appearing increasingly confident that an agreement can be reached.
For Arsenal, Konsa would bring Premier League experience, versatility and defensive reliability. He is comfortable playing at centre-back and can also operate on the right side of defence, giving Arteta another valuable option while his injured players recover.
The transfer would also represent a significant departure for Villa, considering Konsa has established himself as an important member of their defence. Losing him would leave Unai Emery with another major squad decision after several notable departures this summer.
With the new Premier League season approaching, Arsenal do not have much time to waste. If the final details are resolved quickly, Konsa could become one of the club’s most important additions before the transfer window closes.
