Arsenal have reached an agreement worth more than £50 million to sign Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa, strengthening their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 28-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before finalizing his move to the Emirates Stadium, bringing an end to weeks of negotiations between the two clubs.
The Gunners had initially reopened talks with Villa earlier this month but were unable to secure an agreement, leading them to explore alternative defensive targets, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah.
However, Arsenal eventually returned their focus to Konsa and successfully completed negotiations with the Midlands club.
Konsa leaves Villa after seven seasons of consistent service, having joined from Brentford in July 2019.
During his time at Villa Park, he made 286 appearances and established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders.
Last season, he played 48 matches in all competitions, helping Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League and secure a fourth-place league finish.
The defender also enjoyed a strong international campaign with England, featuring in every match as the Three Lions finished third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His performances on the global stage further enhanced his reputation and attracted significant interest from top clubs across Europe.
Konsa has yet to appear for Aston Villa during pre-season after being granted an extended break following the World Cup.
Villa manager Unai Emery recently confirmed that Konsa, alongside Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, was still reintegrating into the squad after their summer commitments, fueling speculation about his future.
The transfer marks another significant change for Aston Villa during a summer of major squad restructuring.
Financial pressures linked to UEFA and Premier League regulations have already seen the club part ways with several key players, including Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans.
With Konsa now set to depart, Villa face the prospect of entering the new season without several of the core figures who helped deliver European success.
Arsenal gain an experienced defender capable of bolstering their title defense and Champions League ambitions.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
