Arsenal are pushing to sign a new centre-back this summer on top of their ongoing pursuits of Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior.
The Premier League champions have had a relatively quiet transfer window, with Christos Tzolis and Piero Hincapie remaining their only outfield additions so far.
Hincapie joined via a buy clause triggered after his loan spell, leaving Arsenal’s squad looking light in several key areas heading into the new season.
William Saliba’s injury has made defensive reinforcement a matter of urgency for manager Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team.
The French defender is sidelined for several months after suffering a back injury while representing France at the World Cup, leaving Arsenal short at centre-back.
Arsenal have Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Ben White as right-footed options for the right centre-back role, but each comes with complications at present.
Timber is still managing a groin problem, while White is expected to begin the season operating at right-back rather than in central defence.
Mosquera is considered relatively inexperienced, meaning Arteta may prefer a signing with stronger Premier League pedigree to fill the void left by Saliba.
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has emerged as a likely target, with the England international understood to have opened the door to a potential departure from Villa Park.
Arsenal value Konsa at somewhere between £30 and £35 million, though Aston Villa’s asking price sits considerably higher at around £60 million.
The gap between the two clubs’ valuations is significant, but Arsenal are expected to seek a middle ground in negotiations to secure the defender’s services.
Meanwhile, the Gunners remain locked in talks with Newcastle United over a deal for Guimaraes, with reports suggesting a total agreement is close for the 28-year-old former Lyon midfielder.
Vinicius Junior remains Arsenal’s primary attacking target, described as the dream signing for the newly crowned English champions, though a deal with Real Madrid remains at an early stage.
Tzolis, signed as a wide option from the left, is a talented Greek winger but is not considered a first-choice starter, with Arsenal keen to bring in world-class quality ahead of him in the pecking order.
Arsenal’s summer business is expected to accelerate significantly in the coming weeks as the club looks to build on ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.