Arsenal signs England defender Konsa

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal bolstered their already strong defence by signing England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on Friday, hours before beginning their bid to retain the Premier League title.

Konsa, who played for England at the World Cup at both centre back and right back, joins the defending champions in a deal worth 55 million pounds (US$75 million) and has signed a four-year contract, The Athletic reported.

Arsenal sought to strengthen their defensive options because of a long-term injury to centre back William Saliba and concerns over the fitness of right back Jurrien Timber.

Mikel Arteta’s team had the best defensive record in the Premier League last season, conceding 27 goals in 38 games during their title-winning campaign.

Arsenal open the new league season on Friday against Coventry.

The 28-year-old Konsa has been with Villa since 2019.

Arsenal’s squad-strengthening continues

With centre midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and winger Christos Tzolis also arriving this offseason, Arsenal have strength in depth in almost every position as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown and pursue Champions League success after reaching the final last season.

Guimaraes, Tzolis and Konsa are like-for-like replacements for Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, who have all left the Gunners.

Wan-Bissaka joins Villa as right-back option

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who played for Congo at the World Cup, has joined Villa from West Ham on a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy.

Wan-Bissaka previously played for Crystal Palace and Manchester United.