Arsenal agree to sign Aston Villa defender Konsa

n n

Arsenal have agreed to sign England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth at least £50 million ($68 million), according to reports on Wednesday.

n

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been chasing a centre-back since the end of last season and appears set to land Konsa after returning with an improved offer.

n

The Premier League champions reportedly had a bid for Konsa rejected earlier in the transfer window and briefly switched their attention to Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah.

n

Having renewed their interest in Konsa, Arsenal are on the brink of sealing a deal for the 28-year-old.

n

Konsa, who featured for England at the recent World Cup, will have a medical before completing his move to the Emirates Stadium.

n

With William Saliba sidelined for an “extended period” by a back problem and Jurrien Timber recovering from a groin injury, Konsa will slot into the heart of Arsenal’s defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

n

If the transfer is finalised, Konsa will follow Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Piero Hincapie and Illan Meslier in moving to the north London club since the end of last term.

n

Konsa played 48 times in all competitions for Villa last season, helping them finish fourth in the Premier League and end a 30-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.

n

Konsa, who joined Villa from Brentford in 2019, did not feature for Unai Emery’s side during their pre-season friendlies or in the UEFA Super Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

n

He would become the latest Villa star to leave in a turbulent summer for Emery.

n

Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea, Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United and Lucas Digne was allowed to sign for PSG.

n

Arsenal open their Premier League title defence at home to promoted Coventry on Friday.

n

AFP

n n