Arsenal agree to deal to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa

Arsenal have agreed to a deal with Aston Villa to sign England defender Ezri Konsa for about £50 million, according to multiple reports, as Mikel Arteta moves to reinforce his defense before the new Premier League season.

Konsa, 28, has agreed to personal terms with Arsenal and is expected to undergo a medical Thursday. The transfer remains subject to the medical and final formalities before it can be completed.

The Times reported the two clubs settled on a £50 million fee after negotiations narrowed an earlier gap in their valuations. Other reports have put the package slightly above that figure when potential add-ons are included.

Konsa gives Arsenal an experienced option at both center back and right back at a time when Arteta’s defensive depth has been hit by injuries.

William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury suffered during the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is recovering from a groin problem and is still several weeks away from returning to full training.

Those absences left Arsenal looking for another defender ahead of their Premier League opener against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday. Sky Sports reported earlier Wednesday that Konsa had become a priority target and that negotiations with Villa were advancing quickly.

The move brings another established England international to the Emirates after a strong season for club and country.

Konsa was a central figure in Aston Villa’s Europa League-winning campaign last season, helping Unai Emery’s side beat Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Istanbul. Villa also finished fourth in the Premier League.

He then became a regular for England during the 2026 World Cup in North America. Konsa made eight appearances and started every match except England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina, according to the Football Association. He also scored during England’s 6-4 win over France in the third-place match.

Konsa joined Aston Villa from Brentford in 2019 and developed into one of the club’s most dependable defenders. He signed a long-term contract extension with Villa in 2023 and has also served as vice captain.

His ability to play centrally or on the right is likely to appeal to Arteta, who has regularly used defenders in more than one role.

For Villa, Konsa’s expected departure would continue a summer of major changes after the club’s Europa League triumph. The Birmingham side has already lost several important players while reshaping Emery’s squad ahead of another season in European competition.

For Arsenal, the deal represents another statement of intent after the club ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season. The Gunners were confirmed as 2025-26 champions in May after finishing ahead of Manchester City.

Arteta had already said Arsenal expected to make further additions before the transfer window closed. The club has strengthened this summer with players including Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis as it prepares to defend its domestic title and make another push in Europe.

Konsa’s transfer has not yet been formally completed, but the agreement between Arsenal and Villa leaves the medical as one of the final major steps before the England defender can become the latest addition to Arteta’s squad.