Overview
- Reports on Sunday say Arsenal’s deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa is about 99% complete with talks centring on a fee in the region of £60–65 million.
- Football Insider reports Arsenal will allow Ben White to depart once Konsa is signed so the club keeps defensive depth despite William Saliba’s extended lay-off.
- Aston Villa’s high valuation of Konsa and Arsenal’s earlier offer being substantially lower mean the transfer is not final and negotiations remain live.
- Ben White remains under contract to 2028, suffered a medial knee ligament injury that ended his 2025/26 season, and earns a reported £150,000 a week, factors that raise financial and medical risk for potential buyers.
- Everton are named as an interested suitor for White but face budget limits and a tactical fit question, and Arsenal are also monitoring alternative defensive targets if Villa hold firm.