Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-back amid Arsenal's injury issues, with both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber currently sidelined through injury. The Gunners have only three senior recognised central defenders available: Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera.
Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is Arsenal's leading target in the position, talkSPORT understands. However, a previous approach worth £35million has already been knocked back by the Europa League winners. Villa value Konsa in excess of £60million, with two years still remaining on his contract.
The England international, who joined Aston Villa in 2019, made 48 appearances across all competitions last season. Arsenal's centre-back search has seen several players considered throughout the summer, including Cristian Romero and John Stones. However, Romero looks set to sign for Atletico Madrid, while Stones has joined Inter on a free transfer.
Arteta's desire to strengthen at centre-back has been enforced by the injuries to Timber and Saliba. The latter has been sidelined since suffering a back injury during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain last month. Meanwhile, Timber missed the tournament entirely after he was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands' squad.
Arsenal conclude their pre-season schedule at home to Como on Wednesday, before facing FA Cup winners City in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday. The Gunners then begin their Premier League title defence with a home clash against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.