Arsenal signed England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £55m on a four-year contract. The deal was announced on Friday, just before the Gunners began their Premier League title defence.
Transfer details
The 28-year-old Konsa, who has been at Villa since 2019, joined the defending champions in a deal reported by The Athletic. The transfer fee was £55m ($75m). He will be part of a squad that has already added centre-midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and winger Christos Tzolis this off-season.
Defensive context
Arsenal’s defence was already the best in the Premier League last season, conceding only 27 goals in 38 matches. The club needed additional depth after a long-term injury to centre-back William Saliba and concerns over the fitness of right-back Jurrien Timber. Konsa’s experience at both centre-back and right-back for England, including appearances at the World Cup, makes him a suitable replacement.
Squad changes
With the departures of Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, Arsenal’s new signings are positioned as like-for-like replacements. The four-year contract for Konsa gives the club stability as they look to retain the Premier League title and pursue Champions League success.
Villa’s new signing
In a related move, Aaron Wan-Bissaka joined Aston Villa from West Ham on a season-long loan that contains a conditional obligation to buy. Wan-Bissaka, who represented Congo at the World Cup, previously played for Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Arsenal’s first league match of the season is scheduled for Friday against Coventry.
