Arsenal agree 51 milion pounds Ezri Konsa deal with Aston Villa

The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months after passing his medical, with the transfer now awaiting official confirmation.

Arsenal had initially seen a 30 million offer rejected earlier in the transfer window, with Villa valuing Konsa at around 60 million pounds. The Premier League champions eventually returned with an improved proposal, including add-ons, to reach a compromise.

Konsa had emerged as Arsenal's preferred target after the club explored a move for Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah. The Gunners considered Leverkusen's asking price excessive and instead revived their interest in the Villa defender.

The defender joined Villa from Brentford in 2019 and made 48 appearances last season as Unai Emery's side finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League.

His departure adds to a turbulent summer at Villa, with Morgan Rogers joining Chelsea, Youri Tielemans moving to Manchester United and Lucas Digne completing a switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

Konsa becomes the Gunners' fifth major signing of the transfer window, following the permanent arrival of Piero Hincapie from Leverkusen and the additions of Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.

Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday.

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