Arsenal may have already added to their squad this summer, but Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta aren’t done in the window yet as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown.
The Gunners’ biggest deal has been the recent arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, while Piero Hincapie’s loan move has been made permanent. Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have also arrived at the Emirates.
The Gunners’ next major addition could come in defence. Despite already possessing considerable defensive depth, Arsenal are looking to bring another centre-back to north London, with William Saliba set to be sidelined for an extended period with a back injury.
Premier League experience appears to be what Arteta is after, with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa named as targets.
|
Stats per Premier League game 2025/26 |
Cristian Romero |
Ezri Konsa |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
27 |
35 |
|
Goals |
4 |
1 |
|
Assists |
2 |
0 |
|
Tackles |
1.8 |
1.0 |
|
Interceptions |
1.3 |
0.8 |
|
Clearances |
4.7 |
3.5 |
|
Blocks |
0.8 |
0.5 |
|
Aerial duels won |
2.4 |
1.5 |
|
Pass success |
89.6% |
91.0% |
|
Yellow cards |
8 |
4 |
|
Red cards |
2 |
0 |
The Spurs defender is reportedly open to crossing the north London divide, although Spurs are extremely reluctant to strengthen their biggest rivals. That could make Konsa the more realistic target – and there has now been an update in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Aston Villa star.
Arsenal make opening Konsa offer
According to FootballTransfers, Berta is in strong contact with the representatives of both Konsa and Romero as Arsenal step up their search for another defender.
It is stated that an opening Arsenal bid has already been made and rejected by those at Villa Park, but the Premier League champions are prepared to return to the negotiating table with an improved proposal.
It remains to be seen what those figures are, however, the interest should hardly come as a surprise.
Now 28 years of age, Konsa has developed into one of Aston Villa’s most important players, accumulating more than 285 appearances for the club since his £12m arrival in 2019.
On the international stage, Konsa is also a regular now, starting all eight of England’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating just how highly he is now regarded by Thomas Tuchel.
Perhaps Konsa’s biggest attraction to Arteta is that he wouldn’t merely provide competition for Saliba and Gabriel. Predominantly a centre-back, Konsa has experience at right-back, giving Arsenal another versatile defensive option in the mould Arteta has tended to favour in recent years.
Bukayo Saka is also a huge fan of the Villa man. The Arsenal winger called his international teammate “one of the best in the Premier League” when it comes to one-v-one defending, explaining that facing Konsa in Three Lions training helped improve his own game.
Now, should the Gunners get their way, Saka and Konsa could be combining down the right, making Arsenal’s already strong defensive unit even tougher to get past.
