Arsenal sign Konsa from Villa as Premier League holders bolster defence

England defender Ezri Konsa joins Arsenal from Aston Villa in a deal understood to be worth £51m ($69m).Published On 21 Aug 202621 Aug 2026Premier League champions Arsenal have signed England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth a reported £51m ($69m).Konsa agreed to a “long-term contract” with the Gunners just hours before they start their title defence against Coventry on Friday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Northern Italy seeks to keep the pressure on the south as Serie A returnslist 2 of 4La Liga: The key talking points for Real Madrid before the 2026-27 seasonlist 3 of 4Top 10 players to watch in the 2026-27 European football seasonlist 4 of 4La Liga: Five key talking points heading into Barcelona’s 2026-27 seasonend of listThe 28-year-old’s arrival gives Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a major boost as he aims to lead the club to successive Premier League titles.Konsa, who was a regular for England at the World Cup this year, will partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in the absence of France international William Saliba, who is sidelined for several months with a back problem.Konsa could make his debut against his former emp...