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Arsenal close to signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for €70m to bolster depleted defence

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal is on the verge of agreeing a deal with Aston Villa for English centre-back Ezri Konsa, valued at €70 million. The 28-year-old is Mikel Arteta's priority to compensate for the absences of Saliba and Timber.

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Arsenal close to signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for €70m to bolster depleted defence
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Arsenal are closing in on a deal with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ezri Konsa, according to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic. The 28-year-old English centre-back is valued at €70 million by the Birmingham club, under contract until June 2028.

The Konsa option has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s priority to strengthen a defence weakened by the injuries of William Saliba and Jurriën Timber. Tracked since the start of the summer transfer window, the England international (28 caps) would complete an already ambitious recruitment drive: the Gunners have notably signed Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães (€87.5m) and Greek winger Christos Tzolis (€40m).

Beyond his versatility — capable of playing as a centre-back or on the right flank — Konsa offers the advantage of solid experience in a back four, gained under Unai Emery at Aston Villa and Thomas Tuchel with the England team. Adapting to Arteta’s hybrid defensive system will nevertheless present a challenge in itself.

Should negotiations fail, Arsenal would turn to Jarell Quansah, former Liverpool defender now at Bayer Leverkusen.

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