Arsenal are reportedly making progress in negotiations to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as manager Mikel Arteta looks to add depth and versatility to his defensive options ahead of the new season.

Talks between the two Premier League clubs have reportedly intensified, with discussions at ownership level helping to narrow the gap between their respective valuations of the England international.

Arsenal are understood to have initially tested Aston Villa’s resolve with a bid of around £40 million, while Villa valued the 28-year-old defender closer to £60 million. With negotiations continuing, both clubs are expected to explore a compromise that could pave the way for a transfer.

Arteta’s search for defensive reinforcements has become increasingly important following injury concerns involving key players, including William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.

Konsa’s versatility is believed to be one of the major attractions for Arsenal. The defender can operate as a right-sided centre-back and also provide cover at right-back, giving Arteta greater flexibility when managing his squad.

The England international also brings considerable Premier League experience. Since joining Aston Villa from Brentford in 2019, Konsa has established himself as a regular in Villa’s defence and has accumulated extensive top-flight experience.

His ability to remain composed under pressure and distribute the ball from the back also fits Arsenal’s possession-based approach, with Arteta placing considerable importance on defenders who can contribute during the team’s build-up play.

Should the deal be completed, Konsa would not necessarily arrive simply as a reserve option.

Instead, he would be expected to compete for a starting position while providing Arteta with another high-level defensive option alongside Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori.

His arrival could also allow Arsenal to rotate their defensive players more effectively across the Premier League and European competitions while maintaining the team’s defensive structure.

With negotiations reportedly moving forward, Konsa’s potential move to the Emirates could become one of Arsenal’s key defensive additions as Arteta continues to reshape his squad for the demands of the new campaign.