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Arsenal have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign England international Ezri Konsa for a fee understood to be worth £51m plus add-ons.
The 28-year-old centre-back has emerged as Arsenal’s preferred defensive target as manager Mikel Arteta strengthens his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The move has also been driven by concerns over William Saliba’s availability after the defender suffered an injury at the 2026 World Cup that is expected to keep him out for several months.
According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Arsenal and Villa have agreed on the structure of the transfer, bringing to an end negotiations that began after the Gunners initially offered £30m. Villa had valued Konsa at around £60m and were initially unwilling to reduce their asking price.
Konsa has already said his farewells to Villa teammates and staff and is expected to undergo his medical in London on Thursday before signing a long-term contract with Arsenal.
Arsenal had also considered Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah as an alternative, but Konsa remained their preferred option.
His arrival will give Arteta another experienced option at centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera, while Jurrien Timber and Ben White remain options at right-back.
Konsa leaves Villa after establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders. His departure represents a significant setback for Unai Emery’s side, particularly with Villa preparing for another Champions League campaign.
The defender also impressed at the 2026 World Cup, where he made eight appearances and played 647 minutes. His performances earned strong praise from former Villa teammate Morgan Rogers, who described him as one of the best centre-backs at the tournament.
Rogers said Konsa had the qualities required to excel in every aspect of the position, highlighting his aerial strength, tackling, composure in possession and overall consistency.
For Arsenal, the signing strengthens an already formidable defence and gives Arteta greater depth as the club attempt to retain the Premier League title and make a stronger challenge for major European honours.
