Arsenal are exploring a shock move for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz before the transfer deadline after agreeing a £51m deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, according to reports. Mikel Arteta was open to signing a new winger even after bringing in Greek international Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Arsenal's renewed interest in Kenan Yildiz
The Gunners had expressed interest in a stunning swoop for Vinicius Junior and were growing in confidence before the Brazil star decided to sign a new contract at Real Madrid. Earlier in the month, it was reported that Arsenal had identified Yildiz as a possible alternative to Vinicius and had made an approach to Juventus to discuss a deal.
After spending the subsequent weeks focusing on bolstering Arteta's defensive options, Arsenal finally made a breakthrough in talks with Villa over Konsa. The Premier League champions will pay £51m to sign the England international, who is set to undergo a medical at the Emirates Stadium ahead of his unveiling.
Now that a deal for a new versatile defender has been secured, Arsenal are once again looking at attacking signings and have made a new move for Yildiz. According to The Independent, Arteta is 'especially keen' on Yildiz, a Turkish international valued at around £85m by Serie A giants Juventus.
Gabriel Martinelli's potential role in the deal
It is also claimed that Arsenal are considering using Gabriel Martinelli as part of the deal, but the Brazilian is said to favour a move to another Premier League club if he is forced out of north London. As a result, Martinelli, who is Arsenal's longest-serving player, has already rejected a move to Galatasaray, who are also interested in Ethan Nwaneri.
Yildiz has made 131 appearances for Juventus and hit double digits in his last two seasons in Turin. The 20-year-old winger has been a key player for the Italian side, and his potential arrival would add depth to Arsenal's attacking options.
Rio Ferdinand praises Ezri Konsa deal
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has branded Arsenal's imminent deal for Konsa as an 'absolute steal' and says it will help the Gunners retain the Premier League title. Analysing Konsa's move to the defending champions, Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: 'I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is.
'There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender. Arsenal are advancing in talks with Konsa from Aston Villa for 51 million pounds plus add-ons. I think it's an absolute steal in today's market. 28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.
'You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well. He's going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal.'
Arsenal's pursuit of Yildiz and the imminent signing of Konsa signal a busy end to the transfer window for the Premier League champions, as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad for the title defence.
