Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal have reached an agreement worth an initial £50 million plus add-ons for a new signing. Although the Gunners have secured what Romano described as their primary defensive target, the transfer expert has also disclosed that Arsenal initially tried to recruit another player for the position.The North London club have already completed four first-team additions this summer. Illan Meslier has arrived to provide competition and cover in goal, while Piero Hincapie’s loan move has been made permanent.
Bruno Guimaraes adds further quality and physicality to the midfield, and Christos Tzolis has been brought in to replace Leandro Trossard on the left flank.Arsenal are still looking to sign another high-profile left winger. Should that move be completed, Gabriel Martinelli could be given permission to leave the club. Mikel Arteta is also keen to add a more reliable and prolific striker, but the immediate priority during the past week has been strengthening the defense with a versatile player.Injuries to William Saliba, who is dealing with a back problem, and Jurrien Timber, who has suffered a groin injury, have increased the need for additional defensive cover.
Arteta wanted an experienced, proven player capable of operating both at center-back and right-back, and on Wednesday afternoon, Arsenal secured their preferred option.Romano confirmed Ezri Konsa’s move from Aston Villa with his trademark “Here we go” announcement. Writing on X, he stated: “Arsenal agree deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, here we go!“Fee agreed at £50m plus add-ons and long-term deal in place with English defender.“Konsa will undergo his medical in the next 48 hours, then sign in at #AFC.”Romano’s announcement followed a similar report from The Athletic.
However, that outlet indicated that the 28-year-old England defender is scheduled to complete his medical on Thursday, meaning the formalities could be concluded very soon.Konsa appears to be an excellent addition for an Arsenal side determined to challenge immediately rather than focus solely on long-term development. He has been one of Aston Villa’s most dependable and impressive defenders for several seasons, while his performances for England at the World Cup further enhanced his reputation. His ability to play centrally or on the right should also give Arteta valuable flexibility, particularly while Saliba and Timber recover.Earlier on Wednesday, Romano described Konsa as Arsenal’s “top target all summer.”
Nevertheless, he revealed that the club had first explored a deal for another defender. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: “Over the recent weeks they tried for some other defenders, for example Marc Pubill at Atletico Madrid.“But Atleti had no intention at all to negotiate or discuss, and so Pubill is staying and Arsenal are going for Konsa.”With Atletico Madrid unwilling to entertain negotiations for Pubill, Arsenal shifted their attention to Konsa and ultimately secured an agreement for the Aston Villa defender.
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