Arsenal are in superior talks with Aston Villa to signal Ezri Konsa.
The Gunners’ curiosity in Konsa has lasted all summer time, with Villa initially valuing him at £60m – a valuation Arsenal have been unwilling to satisfy.
The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at Villa.
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Evaluation: Konsa is an ideal Arteta participant – this is why
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
If there’s one factor it is advisable learn about Mikel Arteta, it is that he loves gamers that win duels. No one was higher at it than Ezri Konsa final season.
The England worldwide gained extra duels on the bottom than every other Premier League participant final season – ending fairly a long way forward of his nearest challengers Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel – who appears set to be his team-mate subsequent season.
Ezri Konsa had the most effective floor duel success price out of any Premier League defender final season
Arsenal are in want of defensive reinforcement this summer time with each William Saliba and Jurrien Timber each out injured, so want a participant who can cowl each right-back and centre-back roles.
The Gunners do have Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White as cowl in these roles – and each carried out effectively within the Group Defend win over Man Metropolis – however the latter has a tough harm report during the last two seasons.
Arsenal additionally noticed the significance of getting good depth at right-back when Mosquera was pressured to begin the Champions League ultimate with PSG out of place – which then resulted within the younger Spaniard conceding a penalty.
Ought to a transfer for Konsa be accomplished, Arsenal have crammed an essential a part of their crew – and could be very near finishing their switch window from an incomings viewpoint.
Can they discover the ahead participant they’ve been trying the entire window for?