Arsenal are in advanced negotiations with Aston Villa over a move for defender Ezri Konsa, with the Gunners edging closer to a deal after months of interest in the 28-year-old England international.

The pursuit has stretched across the entire summer window. Villa initially placed a £60 million price tag on Konsa, a valuation that Arsenal refused to meet — yet talks have clearly moved on, with a resolution now appearing increasingly likely.

Konsa has two years left on his current contract at Villa Park, giving the Birmingham club some leverage in negotiations but also limiting their ability to hold out indefinitely.

Why Konsa suits Arsenal's system

Sky Sports analyst Sam Blitz notes that Ezri Konsa fits Mikel Arteta's philosophy almost perfectly. Arteta has long prioritised players who excel in duels, and Konsa led the entire Premier League last season in ground duels won — finishing ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal's own Gabriel.

The timing of a potential deal is significant. Arsenal are currently without both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber through injury, creating an urgent need for a defender capable of operating at both right-back and centre-back.

Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White have offered cover in those positions — both contributed positively in Arsenal's Community Shield victory over Manchester City — but White's injury history over the past two seasons remains a concern.

The fragility of Arsenal's depth at right-back was exposed in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, when Mosquera — deployed out of position — conceded a penalty that proved decisive.

Completing the window

Should Arsenal finalise a deal for Konsa, the club would have addressed one of their most pressing needs heading into the new campaign. From a defensive standpoint, the squad would be close to complete.

The remaining question is whether Arsenal can identify and sign the forward they have been pursuing throughout the window — a goal that, so far, has eluded them.