LONDON (AP) — Arsenal bolstered its already-strong defense by signing England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on Friday, hours before starting its bid to retain the Premier League title.
Konsa, who played for England at the World Cup at both center back and right back, moves to the defending champion in a deal worth 55 million pounds ($75 million) and on a four-year deal, The Athletic reported.
Arsenal wanted to strengthen its defensive options because of a long-term injury to center back William Saliba and concerns over the fitness of right back Jurrien Timber.
Mikel Arteta’s team has the best defense in the Premier League, conceding 27 goals in 38 games in its title-winning campaign last season.
Arsenal begins the new league on Friday against Coventry.
The 28-year-old Konsa has been at Villa since 2019.
Arsenal’s squad-strengthening continues
With center midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and winger Christos Tzolis also joining this offseason, Arsenal has strength in depth in almost every position for its Premier League title defense and bid to win the Champions League 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 was previously at Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
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