Arsenal on verge of deal to sign one of Arteta’s top targets

Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, according to The Athletic, with the Gunners’ long-standing interest in the England international now advancing towards a conclusion.

The 28-year-old centre-back has been high on Mikel Arteta’s target list throughout the summer transfer window, and David Ornstein reports talks between the two clubs have progressed significantly after dialogue took place at ownership level to help close the valuation gap between the two parties.

Konsa has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders during his time at Villa Park, earning international recognition with England along the way. His composure on the ball and versatility across the back line would give Arteta another proven option as Arsenal continue to push on multiple fronts this season.

For Aston Villa, losing a player of Konsa’s calibre would be a blow, but reports suggest Unai Emery’s side may be willing to sanction a sale if the fee meets their valuation, especially with the funds potentially being reinvested into Villa’s own squad rebuild.

Arsenal fans will be hoping for concrete confirmation soon as the drama over their defensive reinforcements this summer edges closer to a resolution.

The pursuit of Konsa has been building for weeks. Arsenal saw an opening offer of around £30million knocked back by Villa earlier in the summer, with the west Midlands club demanding double that amount as they held out for a fee in the region of £60million. Villa icon Gabby Agbonlahor weighed in on the saga, branding Arsenal’s opening offer a “disgrace” given Konsa’s standing as one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders

Arsenal have since tested Villa’s resolve again, but a follow-up £40million proposal was also turned down, illustrating just how far apart the two clubs were on valuation, a gap it seems Andrea Berta is now bridging.

REUTERS/Phil Noble

The urgency behind Arsenal’s move stems from two significant defensive setbacks. William Saliba is set to miss several months after sustaining a back injury at the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is also nursing a groin issue that will keep him sidelined. With both first-choice centre-backs compromised, Arteta has identified Konsa’s versatility across the back line and at right-back as the ideal short-term and long-term solution.

The Spaniard has been open about his determination to keep strengthening.

Attention will now turn to Arsenal’s outgoings, with the club continuing to assess deadwood before the window shuts. Gabriel Martinelli’s future remains under scrutiny amid interest from Galatasaray, while further squad trims could follow. Balancing the books may prove crucial to getting Konsa’s deal – and any late additions – over the line.