Rio Ferdinand delivers Premier League title prediction in response to £51m transfer - AOL

Rio Ferdinand says the pending arrival of Ezri Konsa at Arsenal has him convinced that they will defend their Premier League this season. Konsa is poised to join the Gunners from Aston Villa after a deal worth £51million was struck on Wednesday.

The England international was the subject of a rejected £30m offer from Arsenal earlier in the summer. After initially valuing him at £60m, Villa have now found a compromise on the eve of the 2026/27 season.

Konsa will provide much-needed cover for the injured William Saliba in central defence whilst he can also play at right-back. The 28-year-old will become Arsenal's fifth summer acquisition after Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.

It is a fantastic piece of business, according to former United defender Ferdinand, who can't see Manchester City, Liverpool or United overhauling Mikel Arteta's side.

"I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is," he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. "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 51million 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 [Jurrien] 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."

He added: "If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing."

Arsenal are still chasing a world-class forward before the summer transfer window closes. They were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Vinicius Junior, who signed a new deal with Real Madrid, but Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez remains a target.

Arteta's side kick off their title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.

Join our WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of MirrorFootball content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Kaynak: AOL.com. Telif hakkı kaynak yayına aittir; buradaki metin özet/atıftır.

Orijinal haber: https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/rio-ferdinand-delivers-premier-league-214833000.html