Berta-Arsenal
Arsenal’s search for defensive reinforcements has reportedly extended to Spain, with the club said to be in discussions with Atletico Madrid over full back Marc Pubil.
Marc Pubil considered as a backup option for Ezri Konsa
Embed from Getty Images
According to transfer insider Franchise (@franchisexcl), Pubil is being viewed internally as a backup option to Ezri Konsa if that transfer does not find a conclusion.
Arsenal want a reliable option at the heart of defence given the recent injury concerns with William Saliba. And that is where Pubil comes into picture. He has been a regular for Atletico in recent seasons and will bring that comfort on the ball from the backline to fit a possession-based setup without needing to be the headline act.
EXCL : #AFC in talks with #Atletico for Marc Pubil. Seen as backup option to Ezri Konsa / also interest in Jules Kounde but no talks.
— Franchise 🎳 (@franchisexcl) August 13, 2026
Kounde interest exists, but talks haven’t started
The report also flags something separate but related. Arsenal are said to hold genuine interest in Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, though at this stage there have been no actual talks over a move. Worth remembering that interest without talks is common at this point in a window, plenty of names get mentioned as admiration rather than active pursuit, and it does not necessarily mean anything is close to happening.
Kounde’s situation is also worth watching for its own reasons given his profile and importance to Barcelona, so even if nothing progresses immediately, it is the kind of name that could resurface later in the window or beyond.
Author Opinion
Taken together, this points to Arsenal working on multiple fronts at once. Given we have already seen the Gunners put in bids for Konsa hoping to find common terms with Aston Villa but now talking to Ateltico shows how Berta & Co are readying alternative options if that Konsa deal becomes too expensive.
Who of Konsa, Kounde & Pubil would you prefer partnering with Gabriel at the heart of the defence when the new season commences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.