ARSENAL HAVE LAID down a significant statement in their bid to retain the Premier League title by completing the £51million (€59.53m) signing of England defender Ezri Konza, while Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has completed his move to Inter Milan in a £30 million (€35.02 million) deal.
Konsa, 28, joins from Aston Villa on a four-year deal with the option of another 12 months and takes Arsenal’s summer spending to £160m (€186.76m) with further transfers – including Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez – not ruled out by the champions.
Konsa, who started seven of England’s eight matches at the World Cup, was earmarked by the Arsenal hierarchy after William Saliba was sidelined for a significant period with a back injury. Doubts also remain over Jurrien Timber’s fitness following a long-term groin problem.
The arrival of Konsa – who can operate at both right-back and centre-half – comes as a major boost to Arsenal’s title defence, which begins at home to Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.
It is anticipated that Konsa will be paraded on the Emirates turf prior to his new side’s opener against the Sky Blues.
The defender is poised to make his debut against his former employers when Arsenal face Aston Villa at Villa Park a week on Monday.
“It’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Konsa, who clinched the Europa League with Villa last season.
“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. I’ll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world. A lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday.”
Villa and Arsenal had been apart in valuation for the England international, but a fee was agreed earlier this week. Konsa then successfully completed his medical at London Colney on Thursday.
Konsa signed for Villa in 2019, and played nearly 300 times, winning the Europa League last season and helping the club finish in the Premier League top four twice in the last three seasons. He arrives at Arsenal set for the prime years of his career.
But his exit is another blow for Villa, with Konsa following fellow key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans out of the door.
Konsa became Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer so far, following Bruno Guimaraes’ £75m (€87.55m) switch from Newcastle and Christos Tzolis’ £34m (€39.69m) arrival from Club Brugge. Piero Hincapie also turned his temporary deal into a full-time switch, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier joined from Leeds as a free signing. Alvarez is also on the club’s radar in what would be a marque signing.
However, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are all likely to be moved on during the window. Gabriel Martinelli’s future is dependent on whether a left-sided forward arrives and Ethan Nwaneri is set to be loaned out. But Arteta ruled out fellow 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly leaving in his news conference on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Inter will pay €30 million up front for Jones with a further €5 million in add-ons. Liverpool have also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.
The 25-year-old leaves Anfield after a 17-year association with the club.
He had one year remaining on his contract but was unhappy with the lack of playing time, especially last season, and made it known to new head coach Andoni Iraola as soon as he arrived that he wanted out.
He told the Inter website: “It’s a club that I’ve wanted to join for a while now, so I’m excited.
“I’m a Scouse kid who came all the way through (at Liverpool), but I’m at a point now when I want to take the next step, and I think this is the perfect club.
“I want to score goals, make assists and help the team – I’ll do whatever is going to make this team win.”
Earlier, Tottenham completed one half of their planned double swoop on Manchester City after an agreement was reached for the signing of Savinho, the Press Association understands.
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Savinho is on his way to Tottenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
Brazil winger Savinho has been a long-term target after Spurs failed in efforts to sign him ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
This time around Tottenham have succeeded in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, who will join for an initial fee of £75m (€87.49m) plus £10m (€11.67m) in add-ons in what may be a sensational double-transfer, with talks still ongoing with City over forward Omar Marmoush joining the north London club.
Savinho’s arrival will take Spurs’ summer spend beyond the £300m (€349.96m) mark and delight boss Roberto De Zerbi, who had promised attacking reinforcements were coming.
Tottenham face a race against time to try and complete the signing of Savinho before 12pm on Friday to ensure he can make his debut in Saturday’s Premier League opener at Brentford.
With attackers James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert either working their way back to full fitness after injuries or still sidelined, Savinho can expect to go straight into Spurs’ starting line-up once he has officially joined.
Comfortable on either wing, left-footed Savinho started out at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil before successful spells at City Football Group clubs Troyes and Girona earned a move to City.
Savinho struggled to secure a regular starting berth at the Etihad Stadium, but after he provided seven goals along with 16 assists during 84 appearances for City, he will aim to play more regularly and fulfil his talent under De Zerbi at Tottenham.
Updated at 4.30 with Konsa transfer.
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Ezri Konsa joins Arsenal, Curtis Jones leaves Liverpool
LAST UPDATE | 21 Aug
Updated at 20.27
ARSENAL HAVE LAID down a significant statement in their bid to retain the Premier League title by completing the £51million (€59.53m) signing of England defender Ezri Konza, while Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has completed his move to Inter Milan in a £30 million (€35.02 million) deal.
Konsa, 28, joins from Aston Villa on a four-year deal with the option of another 12 months and takes Arsenal’s summer spending to £160m (€186.76m) with further transfers – including Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez – not ruled out by the champions.
Konsa, who started seven of England’s eight matches at the World Cup, was earmarked by the Arsenal hierarchy after William Saliba was sidelined for a significant period with a back injury. Doubts also remain over Jurrien Timber’s fitness following a long-term groin problem.
The arrival of Konsa – who can operate at both right-back and centre-half – comes as a major boost to Arsenal’s title defence, which begins at home to Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.
It is anticipated that Konsa will be paraded on the Emirates turf prior to his new side’s opener against the Sky Blues.
The defender is poised to make his debut against his former employers when Arsenal face Aston Villa at Villa Park a week on Monday.
“It’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Konsa, who clinched the Europa League with Villa last season.
“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. I’ll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world. A lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday.”
Villa and Arsenal had been apart in valuation for the England international, but a fee was agreed earlier this week. Konsa then successfully completed his medical at London Colney on Thursday.
Konsa signed for Villa in 2019, and played nearly 300 times, winning the Europa League last season and helping the club finish in the Premier League top four twice in the last three seasons. He arrives at Arsenal set for the prime years of his career.
But his exit is another blow for Villa, with Konsa following fellow key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans out of the door.
Konsa became Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer so far, following Bruno Guimaraes’ £75m (€87.55m) switch from Newcastle and Christos Tzolis’ £34m (€39.69m) arrival from Club Brugge. Piero Hincapie also turned his temporary deal into a full-time switch, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier joined from Leeds as a free signing. Alvarez is also on the club’s radar in what would be a marque signing.
However, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are all likely to be moved on during the window. Gabriel Martinelli’s future is dependent on whether a left-sided forward arrives and Ethan Nwaneri is set to be loaned out. But Arteta ruled out fellow 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly leaving in his news conference on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Inter will pay €30 million up front for Jones with a further €5 million in add-ons. Liverpool have also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.
The 25-year-old leaves Anfield after a 17-year association with the club.
He had one year remaining on his contract but was unhappy with the lack of playing time, especially last season, and made it known to new head coach Andoni Iraola as soon as he arrived that he wanted out.
He told the Inter website: “It’s a club that I’ve wanted to join for a while now, so I’m excited.
“I’m a Scouse kid who came all the way through (at Liverpool), but I’m at a point now when I want to take the next step, and I think this is the perfect club.
“I want to score goals, make assists and help the team – I’ll do whatever is going to make this team win.”
Earlier, Tottenham completed one half of their planned double swoop on Manchester City after an agreement was reached for the signing of Savinho, the Press Association understands.
Brazil winger Savinho has been a long-term target after Spurs failed in efforts to sign him ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
This time around Tottenham have succeeded in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, who will join for an initial fee of £75m (€87.49m) plus £10m (€11.67m) in add-ons in what may be a sensational double-transfer, with talks still ongoing with City over forward Omar Marmoush joining the north London club.
Savinho’s arrival will take Spurs’ summer spend beyond the £300m (€349.96m) mark and delight boss Roberto De Zerbi, who had promised attacking reinforcements were coming.
Tottenham face a race against time to try and complete the signing of Savinho before 12pm on Friday to ensure he can make his debut in Saturday’s Premier League opener at Brentford.
With attackers James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert either working their way back to full fitness after injuries or still sidelined, Savinho can expect to go straight into Spurs’ starting line-up once he has officially joined.
Comfortable on either wing, left-footed Savinho started out at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil before successful spells at City Football Group clubs Troyes and Girona earned a move to City.
Savinho struggled to secure a regular starting berth at the Etihad Stadium, but after he provided seven goals along with 16 assists during 84 appearances for City, he will aim to play more regularly and fulfil his talent under De Zerbi at Tottenham.
Updated at 4.30 with Konsa transfer.
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