{"id":258091,"date":"2026-08-16T10:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/16\/arsenal-in-final-stages-of-talks-to-sign-world-cup-star-with-deal-nearly-done\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T10:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:40:13","slug":"arsenal-in-final-stages-of-talks-to-sign-world-cup-star-with-deal-nearly-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/16\/arsenal-in-final-stages-of-talks-to-sign-world-cup-star-with-deal-nearly-done\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal in ‘final stages’ of talks to sign World Cup star with deal nearly done"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal<\/a> entered this summer in a position every rival wanted.<\/p>\n

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Mikel Arteta<\/a> had finally delivered the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait, but the response has not been to admire the trophy cabinet.<\/p>\n

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The champions have continued strengthening.<\/p>\n

Illan Meslier arrived to add competition and depth in goal, while Christos Tzolis gave Arteta another quick, direct option across the front line.<\/p>\n

Piero Hincapie’s move was also made permanent following his loan spell. The Ecuador international already understands Arsenal’s demands and can cover central defence or the left side.<\/p>\n

The headline signing, however, was Bruno Guimar\u00e3es.<\/p>\n

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\"Bruno-Guimaraes-Arsenal\"\n <\/picture>Reuters\/Matthew Childs<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Arsenal paid \u00a375 million to take the midfielder from Newcastle, adding another proven Premier League performer to a department already containing Declan Rice, Mart\u00edn Zubimendi, Martin \u00d8degaard and Eberechi Eze.<\/p>\n

It was a signing made for the present.<\/p>\n

Guimaraes is 28, experienced and ready to play immediately as Arsenal attempt to retain their title and go one step further after losing the Champions League final to PSG.<\/p>\n

There has also been movement in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Christian-Norgaard-Arsenal\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Christian Norgaard has joined Everton after falling down the midfield order, while Jakub Kiwior completed a permanent switch to Porto. More departures could follow, with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri attracting interest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arteta has already made clear that further business is expected. Another attacker remains under consideration, but the more urgent issue has developed in defence.<\/p>\n

William Saliba is recovering from a back injury suffered during the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is not yet ready to return from his groin problem.<\/p>\n

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\"gabriel-william-saliba-arsenal\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Hannah Mckay<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Those absences leave Arsenal short of senior defensive cover at the beginning of a season in which there will be very little margin for error.<\/p>\n

That need has placed an experienced Premier League defender at the centre of the latest transfer story.<\/p>\n

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\n Arsenal in ‘final stages’ of talks with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa<\/strong>
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\"ezri-konsa-aston-villa\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Umit Bektas<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

According to Football Insider<\/a>, Arsenal are in the final stages of talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Ezri Konsa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The report claims the transfer is ’99 per cent’ complete, with the package expected to be worth between \u00a360 million and \u00a365 million.<\/p>\n

Konsa has reportedly told Villa that he wants the move too.<\/p>\n