Aston Villa chase Matteo Ruggeri as Arsenal revive €60m bid for Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa are close to signing Atletico Madrid left‑back Matteo Ruggeri. Reports say the club has agreed a fee of £18 million guaranteed with £6 million in add‑ons, but the move is stalled until Ruggeri gives a definitive “yes”. Villa also have interest in Al‑Ahli centre‑back Roger Ibañez as a possible replacement for the departing defender.

At the same time, Arsenal have returned with a second, higher offer for Villa centre‑back Ezri Konsa after an initial bid was rejected. Villa value the England international at a minimum of £60 million and have two years left on his contract. Arsenal, who have already secured Bruno Guimarães, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and made Piero Hincapié permanent, see Konsa as cover for the injured William Saliba.

Villa have already lost Lucas Digne to Paris Saint‑Germain, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, and have added Alejandro Garnacho on loan. The club’s transfer activity this window centres on shoring up the defence while managing the departure of key players.