Arsenal are close to finalising a deal for Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa as club officials work to secure a suitable replacement for the defensive position.
Konsa appears ready to join Arsenal(Image: YASIN AKGUL, AFP via Getty Images)
The two clubs meet in the Premier League later this month, and both could add new centre-back options before then.
The Gunners are on the brink of acquiring Konsa from Villa, having reached a £51million agreement for the defender.
As a result, Konsa is anticipated to complete his medical examination in north London on Thursday, before signing a contract with his new employers. The club must complete registration by 12pm on Thursday to include him in the squad for the match against Coventry City on Friday.
Arsenal require defensive strengthening ahead of the new season, with William Saliba expected to miss significant time due to a back problem.
While they appear to have found exactly what they need in Konsa, it is also believed the English player could compete with his French teammate for a spot in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup once Saliba has recovered fully.
For Villa, club officials have apparently identified Tosin Adarabioyo as the replacement for the departing Konsa.
Sky Sports reports that the club are considering several candidates at present, with the Chelsea defender being among them.
The 28-year-old has found it difficult to establish himself at Chelsea since joining from Fulham in 2024, and with Xabi Alonso well-covered in defence, he could be on the move before the September 1 deadline.
Should they complete a deal for the London-born defender, both he and Konsa could feature when Aston Villa and Arsenal meet in a Premier League fixture in the Midlands later this month.
The two sides are scheduled to face each other at Villa Park on Monday, August 31. Both clubs will look to begin their season positively this weekend with ambitions of replicating last year’s achievements.
Arsenal secured their first Premier League crown in over twenty years in May following a season distinguished by outstanding defensive performances.
Villa, on the other hand, captured the Europa League trophy and achieved a fourth-place finish in the top division – their strongest showing since 2023/24.
With the new season approaching, Arsenal are due to face newly-promoted Coventry at home on Friday, August 21.
Villa’s first match comes against Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium on Sunday, August 23.