Mikel Arteta’s hand has been forced — and he has moved fast. Arsenal have agreed a deal worth more than £50 million with Aston Villa to sign England defender Ezri Konsa, bringing one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs to Emirates Stadium as the Gunners attempt to defend their Premier League title despite a mounting defensive injury crisis.
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How the Deal Got Done
The transfer progressed rapidly after productive dialogue at ownership level was initiated to bridge the initial valuation gap, with Aston Villa having previously turned down a £30m bid from Arsenal in their pursuit of a £60m fee for the England defender.
Sources say Arsenal have had a significantly improved offer containing add-ons accepted as they aim to secure the defensive reinforcement manager Mikel Arteta feels the squad needs.
Villa had initially held out for £60m, with Arsenal hoping to pay much less, but the two clubs found a compromise on Thursday to strike a deal for the 28-year-old.
Konsa has already said his goodbyes to Aston Villa teammates and staff ahead of the move, and is now expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Ezri Ngoyo Konsa |
| Age | 28 (born 23 October 1997) |
| Nationality | English |
| From | Aston Villa |
| To | Arsenal |
| Fee | £51m + add-ons |
| Villa’s Initial Asking Price | £60m |
| Arsenal’s Opening Bid | £30m (rejected) |
| Contract at Villa (Remaining) | 2 years (until 2028) |
| Medical Date | Thursday, August 20, 2026 |
| Position | Centre-Back / Right-Back |
| Manager | Mikel Arteta |
Why Arsenal Needed Konsa — The Injury Crisis
Arsenal wanted to add a defender who can play at right-back and centre-back to their squad with William Saliba sidelined for a prolonged period due to a back injury and Jurriën Timber still several weeks away as he aims to overcome a groin injury.
The Gunners made the England international their top defensive target to bolster their squad following an injury suffered by William Saliba during the World Cup, which is likely to rule him out of action for several months.
Mikel Arteta had made signing a new right-sided defender a priority for the transfer window ahead of the new Premier League season, as the north London side look to retain their title for the first time in their history.
Arsenal’s Defensive Injury Situation
| Player | Injury | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| William Saliba | Back injury (sustained at World Cup) | Several months out |
| Jurriën Timber | Groin injury | Several weeks away |
| Ezri Konsa (incoming) | Fit — pending medical | Available imminently |
Who Is Ezri Konsa?
Ezri Ngoyo Konsa was born on 23 October 1997 in Newham, England. He stands at 6ft 0in and plays as a centre-back and right-back.
Konsa played 47 times for Brentford after a £2.5m move from Charlton in 2018, before making the step up to the Premier League with Aston Villa. The 28-year-old joined the Villans in July 2019 and has made 286 appearances over the past seven seasons.
The 28-year-old arrives in North London with top-level credentials, having played a prominent role in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer. Konsa started every fixture prior to the semi-final stage.
Player Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ezri Ngoyo Konsa |
| Date of Birth | 23 October 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Newham, England |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Position | Centre-Back / Right-Back |
| Senior International | England |
| Youth Clubs | Senrab, Charlton Athletic (Academy) |
| Market Value | €40.3m |
Career Timeline
| Period | Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–2018 | Charlton Athletic | — |
| 2018–2019 | Brentford | £2.5m |
| 2019–2026 | Aston Villa | £12m |
| 2026– | Arsenal | £51m+ add-ons |
Konsa’s Season-by-Season Stats at Aston Villa
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 25 | 1 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | 36 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 29 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 34 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025-26 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 286 | 9 | 3 |
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.
The Jarell Quansah Pivot — And Why Arsenal Returned to Konsa
The Gunners had previously enquired about Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah but were quoted what the club considered an inflated asking price. That led them to return to Konsa and move much closer to Villa’s asking price.
Ultimately, the Villa defender’s Premier League experience and tactical adaptability won out, making him Arsenal’s top priority.
Both players — Konsa and Quansah — have a similar profile and can play at right-back and centre-back.
What Konsa Brings to Arsenal
Konsa’s Premier League experience is also a key appeal. Arteta likes signing players who do not have to adapt to the league and has already done so this summer with Bruno Guimaraes.
His versatility and Premier League experience would provide valuable depth as the Gunners look to defend their league title and challenge once again for the Champions League.
Can Konsa Face Coventry on Opening Day?
Konsa must be registered by midday on Thursday to be available for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry, live on Sky Sports, on Friday. If not ready for this weekend, Konsa could make his Premier League debut for Arsenal at Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football on August 31.
The timing of the deal — concluded just 48 hours before the season opener — underlines exactly how urgently Arsenal have been pushing to get this transfer across the line.
Read More: Tottenham Working on £140m Double Deal to Sign Savinho & Omar Marmoush from Manchester City
FAQs
How much are Arsenal paying for Ezri Konsa?
According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Arsenal and Aston Villa have agreed a fee worth £51m plus add-ons for the 28-year-old defender to switch clubs ahead of the opening game of the season.
Why did Arsenal sign Ezri Konsa?
Strengthening on the right side of defence is a priority for the Gunners before the summer transfer window shuts due to the injury absences of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. Konsa’s ability to play both centre-back and right-back made him the ideal solution.
Has Ezri Konsa agreed personal terms with Arsenal?
Personal terms on a contract have already been agreed. The England international has made it clear he wants to join Mikel Arteta’s project, with his representatives informing Aston Villa of his desire to complete the move this summer.
How many appearances did Konsa make for Aston Villa?
The 28-year-old joined the Villans in July 2019 and made 286 appearances over the past seven seasons — a testament to his consistency, durability, and importance to Unai Emery’s side throughout his time at Villa Park.
Did Konsa feature in Aston Villa’s pre-season?
Villa boss Unai Emery had given the England international — and his other players that reached the late stages of the World Cup — an extended, four-week break after the tournament. Konsa had not yet featured for Aston Villa in pre-season as a result, missing the Super Cup and a friendly with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
