Arsenal agree £51m deal with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Aston Villa for centre-back Ezri Konsa worth around £51m, according to ESPN and Sky Sports. Neither club has confirmed it.

ESPN reports a medical was expected to take place on Thursday, while Sky Sports says Konsa must be registered by midday on Thursday to be available for Arsenal's Premier League opener against Coventry City.

The 28-year-old England international has two years left on his Villa contract. ESPN says an earlier £30m bid was rejected, with Villa valuing him at £60m, and the gap was only bridged when "Arsenal have had a significantly improved offer containing add-ons accepted". The size and triggers of those add-ons have not been disclosed.

The move is driven by injuries: Sky Sports notes William Saliba is out for an extended period and Jurrien Timber is sidelined with a long-term groin problem. Konsa has not played in pre-season for Villa, missing the Super Cup and Saturday's friendly with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Until Arsenal or Villa announce it, this remains an agreement rather than a completed transfer. Arsenal open the season at home to Coventry City on Friday night (02:00 Saturday, Vietnam time).

Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports (20 August 2026).