Ezri Konsa to Arsenal has taken a fresh step forward with Aston Villa reportedly becoming increasingly resigned to losing the England defender. Arsenal have not given up on the 28-year-old, although a sizeable gap remains between their opening offer and Villa’s £60million valuation.
Fresh reporting from Tom Collomosse says Arsenal’s first proposal was worth only slightly more than half of Villa’s asking price.
However, the mood around Villa Park now appears to have shifted, with members of Unai Emery’s squad increasingly expecting Konsa to leave before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool are also monitoring the situation, giving Arsenal further reason to decide quickly whether they are prepared to improve their offer.
The latest report on Konsa’s future says Villa are becoming increasingly resigned to a departure.
🚨 Arsenal have not given up hope of signing principal target Ezri Konsa, but will have to do better than their original offer, believed to be a little more than half of Aston Villa’s £60m valuation. It is thought the Villa squad are becoming increasingly resigned to Konsa’s… pic.twitter.com/XqGatwRKzF
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 7, 2026
Arsenal’s interest comes with William Saliba facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
Konsa offers Premier League experience and can operate at both centre-back and right-back, giving Mikel Arteta immediate cover without relying solely on younger defensive options.
ReadArsenal recently explained why Arsenal still need another defender despite Gabriel Magalhaes returning, with Saliba’s absence leaving Arteta short of established right-sided options.
The major obstacle remains price.
Villa value Konsa at around £60m, while Arsenal have so far demonstrated little willingness to meet that figure. The defender also has less than two years remaining on his contract, which could strengthen Andrea Berta’s hand in negotiations.
Liverpool’s interest may complicate that approach.
Arsenal can attempt to use Konsa’s contract situation to negotiate Villa down, but waiting too long could leave another Premier League club with an opportunity to enter the race.
For now, Ezri Konsa to Arsenal remains a live possibility rather than an advanced deal.
Villa’s growing concern over keeping him, however, represents the clearest encouragement Arsenal have received so far.
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