Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa playing for England with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta inset

Ezri Konsa is close to joining ArsenalImago

Sources: Ezri Konsa arrival to open door to Arsenal first-XI star leaving

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Published on:

16 Aug 2026, 5:00 pm

Arsenal will allow Ben White to leave the club this summer when they secure a deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gunners are not only targeting the 28-year-old as a proven centre-back at a time when William Saliba faces an extended lay-off, but also because his ability to operate at right-back.

Football Insider revealed on Friday that a deal is "99 per cent done" for Konsa, with discussions advancing over a deal worth in the region of £60-65million.

Everton are ready to make a move for White once the Konsa deal is finalised, as they look to bolster their own backline.

White is under contract until 2028 at the Emirates Stadium with an option for an additional year, but is understood to be open to a move away for more regular football.

Jurrien Timber is expected to return on the right of defence in the coming weeks, with Mikel Arteta revealing this week that he is stepping up his recovery.

Mikel Arteta provides a fitness update on Rice, Saka, Saliba and Timber 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 14, 2026

Arsenal prepare for Premier League title defence

For the first time in over 20 years, Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy in May.

Arteta's men had finished second for three consecutive seasons, but finally got over the line and came within a penalty shootout winning the Champions League, too.

The Gunners are not willing to sit on their hands now, however and have looked to strengthen further this summer.

Christos Tzolis has arrived to replace Leandro Trossard on the left, while the £75m arrival of Bruno Guimaraes has massively bolstered the midfield.

Konsa's pending arrival will add even further strength to a defence that is already arguably Europe's best and the Gunners would still like to add two more forwards, depending on their sales.

At a time in which Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United have all changed their manager within the last six months, Arsenal have identified a window of potential dominance.

Sources: Ezri Konsa to Arsenal is '99% done'

Everton turn attention to Ben White as defender deal '99% done'