Arsenal transfer latest: Ezri Konsa deal takes £60m twist as star 'rules out' move

Arsenal are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window as the new Premier League season approaches

Arsenal look set to ramp up their transfer business as the window enters its final stretch. The Gunners will this week tie down Bruno Guimaraes on a five-year deal.

With their midfield priority now resolved, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are expected to shift their full focus towards landing both a new defender and a superstar attacker, having been linked with a host of big names throughout the summer.

Prior to those pursuits, Arsenal had already moved to bolster their options across the squad. Piero Hincapie joined on a permanent basis for £34.5m, third-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier arrived on a free transfer and Christos Tzolis was brought in for £34m to fill the void left by Leandro Trossard's departure.

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New Ezri Konsa bid

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to submit a fresh bid for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. The Gunners are said to have already submitted an offer that fell considerably short of the £60m valuation Villa have placed on the 28-year-old.

The Mail reports, however, that Konsa has remained firmly in Arsenal's sights as a priority defensive target. William Saliba's prolonged injury absence has intensified Arteta's determination to recruit proven Premier League cover at centre-back, with Konsa's versatility to operate at right-back considered an added incentive.

Villa are not under any financial obligation to part with Konsa, having recently pocketed a substantial fee from Chelsea for Morgan Rogers. The England centre-back also has two years left to run on his current deal.

Whilst Villa are keen for him to sign fresh terms, they are not in danger of losing him on a free transfer in the near future. They can therefore afford to stand firm on their £60m valuation.

Gabriel Martinelli rules out move

Gabriel Martinelli is reported to have multiple clubs interested in him ahead of a possible exit this summer. The Brazilian's minutes could be substantially reduced should Arsenal successfully bring in another left winger, having been heavily linked with his international team-mate Vinicius Junior in recent weeks.

According to CBS Sports, those keen on securing the 25-year-old's services include Serie A sides Roma and Juventus, along with Turkish club Fenerbahce, who have been keeping close tabs on his situation in north London.

Martinelli is reportedly in no hurry to reach a decision, given his current contentment at the club and the fact he still has 12 months remaining on his contract. However, talkSPORT reports that a switch to the Saudi Pro League holds little appeal for the Brazilian at this stage.

This effectively rules out Saudi Arabia as a viable destination ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr expressing significant interest and the prospect of a highly lucrative deal.