Arsenal‘s first title defence since 2004 is quickly closing. 22 years in the past, the Gunners celebrated their invincible title win by spending lower than £20m and have been quickly made to remorse it, ending second by 12 factors.
This time round, they are not making the identical mistake. Forward of the brand new marketing campaign, the Premier League champions have spent massive on Bruno Guimaraes, welcomed Christoz Tzolis, and now set their sights on a central defender. It is trying like an announcement summer time even after lacking out on Vinicius Junior.
Quite a lot of potential candidates have emerged, with the most recent being Jarell Quansah. Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal to signal the previous Liverpool man, who Mikel Arteta is a fan of.
The Gunners can be getting one over on Liverpool within the course of. The Reds had a buy-back clause value round £69m this summer time, however that has since expired, and the previous Anfield man is open to a transfer to London.
Nevertheless, Quansah just isn’t the one identify on Arsenal’s radar. These in North London have additionally set their sights on Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa, having already seend a £30m bid knocked again, with the Villans requesting nearer to £60m, in response to the BBC.
With William Saliba and Jurrien Timber set to overlook the beginning of the marketing campaign, a deal for both Quansah or Konsa definitely is sensible. The England internationals can each play centre-back and right-back – offering cowl for 2 accidents without delay.
|
Most passes by centre-backs within the Premier League 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) |
2,506 |
|
Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) |
2,207 |
|
Lewis Dunk (Brighton) |
2,188 |
|
Marc Guehi (Man Metropolis) |
2,096 |
|
Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) |
2,016 |
|
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) |
2,003 |
|
William Saliba (Arsenal) |
1,978 |
|
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) |
1,963 |
|
Joachim Anderson (Fulham) |
1,960 |
|
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) |
1,799 |
Konsa in fact can be a European champion, having performed a key half in his aspect’s historic Europa League run final season. If anybody is due an enormous transfer, it’s the 28-year-old who performed a key position for England on the 2026 World Cup.
Konsa’s largest power is available in possession. Final season, he accomplished 95% of his passes within the Premier League and sometimes did so while progressing play, with 61 lengthy passes all through the marketing campaign. Add on the truth that he accomplished eight dribbles – the identical as Saliba – and it turns into clear precisely why he is on Arsenal’s radar.
The Aston Villa man can be a wonderful addition at Arsenal, who’re already engaged on his arrival earlier than the tip of the month.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano for Caught Offside, Arsenal have made contemporary contact to signal Konsa following the rejection of their first supply. The Gunners have discovered that the Villans will now contemplate promoting their star defender if an enormous proposal arrives.
The Premier League champions have definitely obtained the funds to succeed in the asking value too. They have been linked with what would have been a file transfer for Vinicius Jr earlier than the Actual Madrid man signed a brand new contract in Spain.
They have been additionally chasing £117m Morgan Rogers, just for Chelsea to swoop in and spend massive. So, earlier than the summer time switch window closes, there’s each likelihood that Arsenal try to splash the money but once more.
It could be a well-earned transfer for Konsa, who has earned loads of reward throughout his time at Villa Park from each these watching from the stands and teammates like centre-back companion Pau Torres.
“I believe he’s actually robust within the duels. He’s a winner. His capability to guide the staff from the again is superb.”
Because the Premier League marketing campaign nears, the England worldwide is more and more one to look at – particularly if Arsenal determine to spend massive once more.
