{"id":258426,"date":"2026-08-18T10:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/18\/arsenal-now-set-to-make-40m-bid-for\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T10:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:10:14","slug":"arsenal-now-set-to-make-40m-bid-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/18\/arsenal-now-set-to-make-40m-bid-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal now set to make \u00a340m bid for"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal<\/a> are set to make a bid for Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa, having agreed personal terms, with the centre-back now viewed as their top transfer target.<\/p>\n

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The Gunners had the best defensive record in the Premier League<\/a> last season, conceding just 27 goals, and they kept a clean sheet in the emphatic 3-0 Community Shield victory against Manchester City on Sunday.<\/p>\n

However, considering Mikel Arteta<\/a> will be looking to compete on all fronts again next season, and Ben White<\/a>‘s future in north London remains in doubt, additional depth will be required, and Konsa could be a fantastic option.<\/p>\n

Much like White, the Villa defender is capable of playing both in the middle and on the right side of the defence, and he has built up a wealth of Premier League experience, making 231 appearances in the competition during his time with Unai Emery’s side.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old was one of Emery’s most important players last season, featuring for 3,036 minutes in the top flight, which was the second-highest number in the squad, and he showcased his ability in possession by averaging 59.4 accurate passes per 90.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Ranking<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Arsenal’s top passers (Premier League 2025-26)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Accurate passes per 90<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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1.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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William Saliba<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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67.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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2.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Declan Rice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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54.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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3.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cristhian Mosquera<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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52.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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4.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Martin Zubimendi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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50.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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5.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Gabriel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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50.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Journalist Dan Bardell<\/a> has lauded the England international as “sensational”, and there has now been a further update on the north Londoners’ pursuit, after it was revealed that a deal was close to completion<\/a> last week.<\/p>\n

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\n Arsenal set to make offer for Ezri Konsa<\/strong>
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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Carlos Barria<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

According to a report from Football Insider, Arsenal are now preparing a new offer for Konsa, which is worth \u00a340m, with the defender considered one of their top targets ahead of the September 1st deadline.<\/p>\n

The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with the Villa star, but they are yet to agree a fee with his current club, which is seemingly the last remaining obstacle.<\/p>\n

Emery is reluctant to lose the former Brentford man though, as he has become one of his most important players, which means Villa are set to hold out for a fee of \u00a360m.<\/p>\n

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\n What Mikel Arteta has said about Arsenal’s transfer plans<\/strong>
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\"mikel-arteta-arsenal\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Andrew Boyers<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

After the resounding victory against Man City in the Community Shield, Arteta<\/a> was asked whether strengthening the defence is now his priority, having secured Bruno Guimaraes’ signature, and the Spaniard said: “We know there are certain areas that through injuries we are weaker and we need to strengthen.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We\u2019re trying to do that and we\u2019ve been trying to do that for weeks. Only when the opportunity is right for the club will we do it.”<\/em><\/p>\n