Ezri Konsa emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal earlier in the summer window and it now looks as though they will be signing the Aston Villa defender
Arsenal have agreed to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa
Arsenal have agreed to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa(Image: (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
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Arsenal have reportedly scheduled a medical for Ezri Konsa after reaching an agreement for his transfer with Aston Villa. The England international has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium all summer and now looks set to join Mikel Arteta's squad.
On Wednesday morning, the transfer began to advance and The Athletic are now reporting it has been finalised with the Gunners to pay £51million plus add-ons for his signature. Arsenal valued him at £40m while Villa wanted closer to £60m and it seems the latter have got their way but not quite at the fee they initially demanded.
It had been claimed earlier in the day that dialogue between the two clubs at ownership level was taking place in order to bridge the gap in valuation. With that resolved, Konsa has said his goodbyes to Villa players and staff and will undergo a medical with Arsenal on Thursday.
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The Gunners first lodged an offer for Konsa with Villa towards the start of the current trading period but it fell way below their asking price and was firmly rejected.
Konsa was a regular at the World Cup for the Three Lions and has subsequently not played any part in Villa's pre-season. Watkins and Emi Martinez were also given extra time off with all three missing the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
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Arsenal's focus seemingly switched to a defensive addition following Vinicius Junior's decision to stay at Real Madrid. Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona's Jules Kounde were identified as alternatives to Konsa.
The 28-year-old has remained Arsenal's top target throughout the summer given his versatility to play in the centre of defence and at right-back.
William Saliba of Arsenal
Ezri Konsa is expected to cover for William Saliba's injury
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That is a key factor given William Saliba's long-term back issue and the injury problems that Jurrien Timber has faced since March.
Arteta has Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White available but depth in those positions for the start of the season would be lacking. Konsa is expected to become the fourth defender signed by Arteta in the last three summer windows.
Piero Hincapie is one of those with the Ecuador international joining permanently this summer in addition to Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.