Arsenal are close to striking a deal with Aston Villa to sign Ezri Konsa. The Gunners are in the market for a right-sided defender and Konsa, 28, is their preferred target.
Both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will miss the start of the Premier League season with long-term injuries, reducing Mikel Arteta's options. Konsa's ability to play at centre-back as well as right-back appeals to Arteta, who appreciates versatile defenders.
Talks Progressing
The Athletic report that although the deal isn't done, talks are now advancing. There has been dialogue at ownership level to reduce gap in valuations.
Arsenal have been willing to pay £40million for Konsa, with Villa rating him closer to £60m. Meanwhile, personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
Konsa's International and Club Situation
The England international was heavily involved at the World Cup, starting all but one of their eight fixtures. The only game which he didn't start was England's 2-1 semi-final loss against Argentina, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute.
Konsa has two years left on his contract with Villa, who handed him a five-year deal in 2023. The 28-year-old didn't feature in pre-season for Villa, having been granted extra time off following England's campaign in North America.
Villa's Summer Changes
Villa begin their Premier League season away to Brighton on Sunday, having already lost three key players this summer despite qualifying for the Champions League. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have all departed for a combined £159.5m.
Team-mates Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez could also leave before the transfer window closes on Monday, September 1. Villa announced two signings on Wednesday morning, welcoming Atletico Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri (£17m) and Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (£30m).
Arteta on Further Signings
Arsenal are set to become the latest club to raid Villa, with Arteta confirming after Sunday's 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield that he wants more signings. "We know that there are certain areas that, through injuries, we are weaker and we need to strengthen," the Gunners boss admitted.
"We are trying to do that, we've been trying to do that for weeks so only the right opportunity and the club is available to do it, we will do it."
Arteta previously said: "What I can tell you is the ambition of the club, it's big, we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad, and in order to achieve that, we have obviously detected some areas that can be strengthened. That's what we are trying to do."
