Arsenal are lining up a move for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, according to the Daily Mail.
The Gunners are believed to have targeted the centre-half who has had a good World Cup with England.
Arsenal are also confident of securing a deal to sign Konsa’s Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers this summer.
The Premier League champions have already snapped up back up goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer and made Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent.
But they have yet to make a headline signing as they look to defend the crown they won last season for the first time in 22 years.
Rogers would certainly fit the bill, as would Konsa, who started every one of England’s games at the World Cup before being left on the bench for Wednesday’s semi-final defeat to Argentina.
He was introduced by Thomas Tuchel with 18 minutes to go – replacing Anthony Gordon – but was powerless to prevent the South American champions from scoring two late goals to win 2-1.
Londoner Konsa fits the bill for Arsenal due to doubts over Saliba fitness
The versatile 28-year-old, who can also operate at right-back, was born in London and is expected to welcome the opportunity to return to the capital.
Konsa joined Villa in 2019 and has carved out a reputation as one of the most commanding defenders in the top flight, helping the Midlands club to secure Champions League football in the 2024/25 season before starting the Europa League final win over Freiburg in May.
Arsenal are having to scour the market for players due to uncertainty over the fitness of France international William Saliba, who struggled throughout the World Cup with a back injury.
