Ferdinand hails Konsa as 'magnificent steal' while Martinelli-Yildiz swap deal emerges

Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Arsenal’s £51m acquisition of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, calling it a ‘magnificent’ piece of business, as reports emerge that the Gunners are exploring a swap deal involving Gabriel Martinelli and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz.

Konsa’s move to north London is one of two significant Premier League signings Arsenal have completed in the closing stages of the summer window, following the £75m arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle. The club has also added goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer and winger Christos Tzolis for £34m from Club Brugge, with the Greece international already registering two assists in a 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, was unequivocal in his assessment of the Konsa deal. “I think this is a magnificent signing,” the former Manchester United defender said. “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.”

Ferdinand argued the £51m fee represented exceptional value given Konsa’s age and versatility. “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,” he said, pointing to injury concerns surrounding Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and William Saliba as reasons why the signing carries added importance.

“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,” Ferdinand concluded.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s pursuit of a world-class left winger before the window closes has taken a new twist. Reports suggest manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta could offer Juventus Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli as part of a swap deal to secure Kenan Yildiz, the Turkey international who has been identified as one of Arteta’s primary targets this summer.

With fewer than ten days remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal appear intent on further strengthening a squad that has already been significantly reshaped ahead of their Premier League title defence.