Arsenal reportedly in 'advanced talks' with Aston Villa over defender Ezri Konsa

[p]With star defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saliba-william/EgIM3sB7/"]William Saliba[/a] set for a prolonged period on the sidelines and Jurrien Timber dealing with a groin injury, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] boss Mikel Arteta has been on the hunt for a fresh face in defence. [/p][p]Links had been made between the Gunners and former Liverpool centre-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/quansah-jarell/KtIpCeFE/"]Jarrel Quansah[/a], but such reports have now died down as Arsenal step up their interest in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/konsa-ezri/4CQLQWTa/"]Konsa[/a]. [/p][p]As per journalist [b][i]Ben Jacobs[/i][/b], Arsenal are deep in talks with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Villa[/a] for Konsa who has racked up 286 appearances in all competitions for the side, helping the club win the Europa League last season. [/p][p][b]"Arsenal confident on agreeing a fee to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. [/b][/p][p][b]"Club-to-club talks now advanced. Big gulf in valuation earlier this summer as Villa asked for £60m+ and Arsenal bid £30m, but parties expected to reach an agreement. [/b][/p][embed guid="2edee1f4-9e9f-4c55-a24c-a8a05a2389e3" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2090030479827202548?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"Konsa always the top target despite interest in Jarell Quansah and Jacobo Ramon, plus John Stones prior to his Inter move."[/b][/p][p]Konsa has two years remaining on his contract, having signed a five-year deal in September 2023. This means Villa are in a strong position to negotiate over the coming weeks as the summer window comes to a close. [/p][p]The England international won more duels on the ground than any other Premier League player last season, and as Arsenal [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/coventry-GOvB22xg/?mid=2q2NhX43"]prepare to face newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night[/a], fans will be eager to see if the club can push a deal over the line. [/p][infobox id="a26dc69f-5d29-48c9-8d0f-786c18f76a2b" /]