Arsenal intensify pursuit of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa
On 19 August 2026 Arsenal accelerated their interest in Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, pursuing a move to bring the England international to the Emirates Stadium. Club sources expressed some optimism that an agreement could be reached, although no deal has been completed.
Konsa is Arsenal's first-choice defensive target but so far the Premier League champions have not met Villa's £60m valuation. BBC Sport reported last week that Arsenal had reopened talks with Villa but still fell short of reaching an agreement, briefly turning attention to Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah before refocusing on Konsa.
Ezri Konsa helped Aston Villa win the Europa League and was a regular for England at the World Cup. The 28-year-old joined Villa in July 2019 and has made 286 appearances for the club over the past seven seasons.
Konsa featured 48 times last term in all competitions, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, as Unai Emery's side lifted the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football for 2026-27. He has not played in Villa's pre-season, including the 2-1 defeat to Paris St‑Germain in the Uefa Super Cup, after Emery gave him four weeks off following the World Cup.
Konsa played in every game of England's World Cup run as the Three Lions finished third. Speaking after the final warm‑up match against Borussia Monchengladbach, Emery explained the absence of Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, saying: "They are joining us after this match."
Villa's summer activity has been shaped by financial constraints, with the club selling Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a record £117m to comply with Uefa and Premier League rules. Even then, Youri Tielemans was also sold to Manchester United, while Lucas Digne was allowed to join Paris St‑Germain and Atletico Madrid's Matteo Ruggeri brought in to replace him.
There is significant uncertainty over Villa's squad just four days before they start the season at Brighton, with the club facing the prospect of further departures and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also set to leave. Changes were expected, but Villa could undergo a transformation that would normally take place over two or three windows, and boss Unai Emery has warned of a crucial period ahead.
Skipper John McGinn was defiant last week when asked about changes, saying they still have the same structures and values which made them a success, and Villa still played well despite losing to PSG in the Super Cup. Villa now face a crucial two weeks before the end of the transfer window, with early-season matters beginning at Brighton in four days.
