AFCON 2025
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, with the Gunners closing in on a deal to bring the England international to the Emirates Stadium before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Mikel Arteta identified Konsa as a priority target following William Saliba’s back injury at the 2026 World Cup, an issue expected to keep the Frenchman sidelined for an extended period. With Jurrien Timber also nursing a groin problem, Arteta moved quickly to address his options at centre-back, and Konsa has emerged as his preferred solution.
konsa has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, according to multiple reports, leaving the transfer fee as the only outstanding issue between the two clubs. Arsenal’s opening offer of £30 million was swiftly rejected by Villa, who responded by demanding a fee in the region of £60 million, while a subsequent bid worth £40 million has also fallen short of that valuation.
The 28-year-old central defender has reportedly told Villa of his desire to leave for north London, a stance that has accelerated negotiations in recent days.
Villa’s reluctance to sell reflects Konsa’s importance to Unai Emery’s side. The defender has made more than 230 Premier League appearances since arriving from Brentford in 2019 and was one of Emery’s most consistent performers last season, logging over 3,000 minutes in the league. With just two years remaining on his contract and no signs of a renewal being agreed, this window represents Villa’s clearest opportunity to secure a significant fee for him.
He also played an important role in Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph last season as the Villans dispatched SC Freiburg 3-0 at the Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul in May. Goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers sealed the win for Unai Emery’s side, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy at the club.
Konsa’s versatility is a key factor behind Arsenal’s interest, having featured at both centre-back and right-back for England during their World Cup campaign. That flexibility would allow him to slot in alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Timber, Piero Hincapie, and Riccardo Calafiori in Arteta’s backline, while also covering full-back duties once Timber returns to fitness.
Arsenal were reportedly linked to Konstantinos Mavropanos, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah, and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, but Konsa remains the clear priority as both clubs work to close the valuation gap in the coming days.
