Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, with the valuation gap reducing after ownership-level talks, according to a report.
David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, with work advancing between the two clubs to finalise the move.
Ornstein writes that dialogue has taken place at ownership level to reduce the valuation gap for the defender, with Konsa returning from his post-World Cup holiday on Monday.
So far this summer, Arsenal have often made moves for players immediately after the conclusion of their holidays, and this appears to be no exception.
The Gunners finalised their move for Bruno Guimaraes immediately after he returned to Newcastle United, and they made their push for Vinicius Junior as he returned to Real Madrid – only to see the winger renew.
There had been rumblings of Arsenal’s pursuit of Konsa ramping up in the last 24 hours, with former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness telling Football Insider that he’d heard personal terms had been agreed and it looked like a fee soon would be as well.
“I do expect the deal to get done with Arsenal,” Wyness said. “I think they’re going to get to somewhere near £50m plus add-ons; I think that will be what we’re expecting to do.
“I heard this morning from one of my Villa friends that the personal terms had been agreed. So it’s moving that way now; the clubs have got to find a way forward.”
Arsenal’s move for Konsa had faced difficulties over the two clubs’ valuations of the player, with Villa wanting £60m, and the Gunners preferring to pay up to £40m.
With talks stalling, Villa had made an effort to try and convince the player to stay and sign a contract extension. But Arsenal were always reportedly offering better wages.
If Wyness is right, it looks like Arsenal and Villa may now be ready to meet in the middle at around £50m. Ornstein is certainly suggesting a compromise now appears possible.
The deal would see Mikel Arteta fix a problem position in William Saliba’s absence, and it would allow Villa to cash in on a 28-year-old with two years left on his deal.
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