Rio Ferdinand has said he believes Arsenal will win a second successive Premier League title after the club agreed a £51 million deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.
The former Manchester United defender described the transfer as a 'magnificent signing' and an 'absolute steal' in the current market, citing Konsa's versatility and reliability as key reasons for his confidence in Arsenal's chances.
Konsa deal agreed after compromise
Konsa is set to join the Gunners after a deal worth £51 million was struck on Wednesday. The England international had been the subject of a rejected £30 million offer from Arsenal earlier in the summer. Villa initially valued him at £60 million before finding a compromise on the eve of the 2026/27 season.
The 28-year-old will provide cover for the injured William Saliba in central defence and can also play at right-back. He will become Arsenal's fifth summer acquisition after Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.
Ferdinand: 'Absolute steal'
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand said: 'I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is. There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender.'
He added: 'Arsenal are advancing in talks with Konsa from Aston Villa for 51 million pounds plus add-ons. I think it's an absolute steal in today's market. 28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.'
Ferdinand pointed to injury concerns at full-back, noting: 'You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got [Jurrien] Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well.'
Title prediction and forward search
Ferdinand concluded: 'If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing.'
Arsenal are still pursuing a world-class forward before the summer transfer window closes. They were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Vinicius Junior, who signed a new contract with Real Madrid, but Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez remains a target. Arteta's side kick off their title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.
