Ezri Konsa to Arsenal update as two deals all but done

Aston Villa plan to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham regardless of whether Ezri Konsa completes his expected move to Arsenal, sources have told Football Insider.

Konsa is close to finalising a move to the Gunners, with Football Insider revealing on Friday the player has agreed terms and the deal is "99% done".

Villa are simultaneously completing a defensive capture of their own, and are close to sealing a deal in the region of £20-25million with West Ham for Wan-Bissaka after personal terms were agreed.

Sources say the capture of the former Man United star is not dependent on Konsa leaving and is set to proceed regardless.

Villa have identified Wan-Bissaka to play three different roles including as a centre-back in a two-man central defensive partnership, in a three-man central defence or in his long-held position as a right-back.

Arsenal have ramped up their pursuit of Konsa this week after seeing a £30m bid rejected by Villa earlier in the summer.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Villa are holding out for £60m for the versatile defender.

The 28-year-old has two years left on his current contract at Villa Park and is believed to be open to the move.

Aston Villa to stand by £60million valuation of Ezri Konsa

Konsa has racked up 231 appearances in the Premier League for Villa since joining from Brentford in 2019.

He is yet to feature for the Villans in pre-season after being given an extended break following the World Cup, and is wanted by Arsenal to offset the loss of William Saliba to a long-term injury.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “They did make an initial proposal of around £30m earlier in the summer, which was quickly rebuffed by Villa, who have no interest in selling at that price.

“Villa ideally want to keep him. Arsenal are obviously preparing another offer to try and tempt Villa into a sale, but if it doesn't get anywhere near Villa's valuation of around £60m, it'll be quickly rejected as well."

Villa are ready to sell Emi Martinez

Martinez is another long-serving Villa player who has been linked with leaving the club throughout the summer window.

He is a sellable asset, with three years left on his current contract, and has attracted interest from several top clubs in Europe and the Middle East.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Villa are prepared to sell Martinez to raise funds to be able to keep Konsa around.

It remains to be seen if an interested party offers enough to land the Argentina stopper before the window closes.