Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, with growing optimism inside the club that a deal can be completed for the England international.

Konsa remains Arsenal's primary defensive target this transfer window, yet the Premier League champions have so far fallen short of matching Aston Villa's asking price of £60 million. Multiple sources indicate, however, that both parties believe an agreement is within reach.

BBC Sport reported last week that Arsenal had resumed talks with Aston Villa over the transfer, though those discussions did not produce a breakthrough at the time. The Gunners briefly shifted attention toward Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarrell Quansah as an alternative option.

Arsenal have now refocused on Konsa, and there is a growing sense within the club that the move will ultimately be finalised. Emirates Stadium is the expected destination for the centre-back, should the two clubs reach a fee agreement.