Arsenal return to talks for Ezri Konsa as Arteta seeks defensive upgrade

Arsenal have reopened negotiations with Aston Villa over a possible deal for England international Ezri Konsa, underlining Mikel Arteta’s determination to strengthen his defence before the start of the new season.

BBC Sport understands the London club held a fresh round of discussions with Aston Villa in recent days and indicated that it would be prepared to improve its initial offer for the 28-year-old defender. Arsenal’s opening proposal was worth about £30m.

However, there remains a significant difference between the two clubs’ valuations. Aston Villa are holding out for £60m to allow Konsa to leave and, at present, have shown no willingness to accept a lower fee.

Konsa is Arteta’s preferred defensive target because of his ability to operate in more than one position across the back line. His versatility is understood to be a central factor in Arsenal’s renewed interest as the club assesses how best to reinforce its squad ahead of the new campaign.

The move for Konsa comes after Arsenal completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United. With that deal concluded, the Premier League champions have turned their focus fully towards strengthening their defence.

Arsenal have also explored another possible option in recent weeks. Multiple sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that the club held initial talks with Tottenham Hotspur about the possibility of signing their captain, Cristian Romero.

Those discussions took place before Romero reached an agreement with Atletico de Madrid, ending Arsenal’s interest in him as a potential defensive addition. The conversations with Tottenham were exploratory rather than evidence of a completed transfer, but they demonstrated the range of options being considered by the Arteta’s side.

Konsa remains the clearest target among those defensive possibilities. His capacity to play in different roles gives Arsenal an option capable of providing cover and competition in several areas of the back line, while his experience with Aston Villa has kept him high on Arteta’s list.

The defender made 48 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa last season. He also helped the club win the UEFA Europa League, further strengthening his appeal to Arsenal as they seek defensive reinforcements.

Konsa is currently on holiday after taking part in the World Cup. Despite his absence, negotiations between Arsenal and Aston Villa have continued, with the two clubs still separated by £30m in their reported valuations.

For now, Aston Villa’s £60m demand remains the main obstacle to an agreement. Arsenal have shown a willingness to return to the negotiating table and improve their first offer, but a deal will depend on whether the clubs can bridge the gap over the defender’s fee.