Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the pre-season friendly against Girona, August 2026.
Arsenal are set to step up their efforts to sign a new centre-back before the transfer window closes.
The Gunners have identified the area as a position in need of strengthening amid a potential injury crisis.
Mikel Arteta looks on during Arsenal's match against Borussia Dortmund3
Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-back amid Arsenal's injury issues
Mikel Arteta is currently without both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber through injury less than two weeks away from the new season.
Their absences leave Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera as his only senior recognised central defenders.
Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is Arsenal's leading target in the position, talkSPORT understands.
A previous approach worth £35million has already been knocked back by the Europa League winners.
Villa value Konsa in excess of £60million, with two years still remaining on his contract.
The England international, who joined the club in 2019, made 48 appearances across all competitions last season.
Arsenal's centre-back search
Several players have been considered by Arsenal at centre-back throughout the summer.
The Gunners have shown recent interest in Cristian Romero amid uncertainty over his Tottenham Hotspur future.
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However, the Spurs captain looks set to sign for Atletico Madrid after agreeing personal terms with the club.
John Stones also emerged as a potential signing earlier in the window.
Ezri Konsa looks on during the match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest3
Arsenal are set to launch a fresh approach for Konsa, who Villa value at over £60million
The former Manchester City star has since joined Inter on a free transfer, though.
Arteta's Injury headache
Arteta's desire to strengthen at centre-back has been enforced by the injuries to Timber and Saliba.
The latter has been sidelined since suffering a back injury during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain last month.
Meanwhile, Timber missed the tournament entirely after he was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands' squad.
Arteta addressed both players' returns following his side's Emirates Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
He explained: "Jurrien is progressing really well. He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber hold the Premier League trophy3
Saliba and Timber are both sidelined less than two weeks before the season starts
"William Saliba is in rest mode at the moment for two weeks. He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it’s going to take some time to heal."
When asked how Arsenal will cope without Saliba, he added: "We have experienced that in the past, unfortunately.
"When he’s been available, he’s hit home and the stats are incredible. We know we lost a massive player, the same with Jurrien."
The Gunners conclude their pre-season schedule at home to Como on Wednesday.
That match will be followed by the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday against FA Cup winners City.
Arsenal then begin their Premier League title defence with a home clash against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.