Arsenal are making significant progress in their pursuit of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, with negotiations advancing following talks at ownership level between the two clubs.
The 28-year-old England international has been one of Mikel Arteta’s top defensive targets throughout the summer transfer window.
Villa had previously resisted Arsenal’s approaches, but the latest developments suggest the Premier League champions are now genuinely closing in on a deal.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, discussions between senior figures at both clubs have helped reduce the valuation gap that had been the central obstacle in negotiations.
Ornstein confirmed that Konsa has been high on Arsenal’s target list all summer, with work now advancing with Aston Villa to finalise an agreement for the England international.
Sky Sports had reported that Villa were seeking around £60 million for the defender, a figure Arsenal had been unwilling to meet during the earlier stages of negotiations.
Arsenal previously had a £30 million offer rejected by Villa, highlighting just how wide the gap between the two clubs had been before ownership-level dialogue began.
The Guardian has also reported that Villa may need to make another significant sale as the club works to balance financial regulations alongside manager Unai Emery’s desire to further strengthen his squad.
Arsenal have not relied solely on Konsa in their defensive search, with The Guardian also reporting that talks have taken place with Bayer Leverkusen over Jarell Quansah, who is valued at approximately £43 million.
Konsa would bring immediate Premier League familiarity to Arsenal’s backline, with the ability to operate at centre-back or right-back providing Arteta with genuine defensive versatility.
His experience in English football means there would be no adaptation period required, a factor that could prove decisive as Arsenal deal with injuries to key defensive players within their squad.
Villa’s £60 million valuation remains a significant ask for a 28-year-old defender, meaning Arsenal will likely push for a compromise figure rather than simply meeting the asking price.
If the ownership-level discussions can produce a final package closer to £50 million with achievable add-ons, it would represent a sensible conclusion to one of the summer’s most drawn-out transfer negotiations.
