Ezri Konsa transfer latest: Arsenal book medical as £51m fee agreed for priority signing

Arsenal have agreed a deal worth at least £51million with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa.

Arsenal identified Konsa as a top target earlier this summer but were unwilling to match Villa's valuation of £60m.

Arsenal stepped up their pursuit of the 28-year-old this week and are now closing on the signing of Konsa, with a player expected to undergo a player on Thursday. Personal terms on a contract have already been agreed.

Mikel Arteta admires Konsa's versatility, seeing him as a player who will provide an option both at right-back and in the centre of defence.

Per Opta stats, Konsa registered the best ground duel success rate last season of any player, winning 73.1% of them. Gabriel sat third in that metric with 69.9%.

With those two players out, Arteta has used teenagers Louie Copley and Theo Julienne at right-back at times during pre-season.

In the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday, Piero Hincapie was the only defender named on the bench.