Arsenal face a new deadline if Ezri Konsa is to be signed in time to make his debut in the Premier League season opener against Coventry.
Standard Sport understands the Gunners are closing in on the signing of the Aston Villa player after agreeing a deal worth £51m plus add-ons. Konsa is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday, having already agreed terms on a contract and said his goodbyes to staff and team-mates at Villa.
Arsenal wanted a defender who could play at both centre-back and right-back this summer. That followed William Saliba's injury and fitness concerns over Jurrien Timber and Ben White. Konsa was identified as a priority target earlier in the window. There was also interest in Cristian Romero and Jarell Quansah, but progress in talks with Villa was slow.
A breakthrough came this week. Villa moved close to the £60m asking price set weeks ago, and the deal is close to being completed ahead of a possible debut for Konsa on Friday night. Arsenal begin the defence of their Premier League title at the Emirates Stadium, and Konsa could be involved.
There is still a race against time to get him registered. The registration deadline ahead of a Premier League weekend is midday on Friday, but because Arsenal play that evening, Konsa must be registered by 12pm on Thursday. He is set to undergo a medical on Thursday, so the clock is ticking on a debut under the lights against Coventry.
Source: www.standard.co.uk — Read the original article
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