Arsenal latest: £73m Vinicius Jr alternative identified as club concerned over key transfer

Arsenal are still in the market for new signings this summer with scouts sent to check out some interesting targets

Arsenal are pressing ahead in their pursuit of Ezri Konsa as they look to strengthen their defence. Mikel Arteta's squad has been shaken up slightly with a Premier League title defence on the horizon.

The Gunners claimed their first league title in over two decades last term and as the new campaign approaches, pre-season is in full flow. In the transfer market, Arteta's side missed out on their primary target of Vinicius Jr after the Brazil winger signed a new deal with Real Madrid.

£73m Vini Jr alternative eyed

Having failed in their pursuit of Vini Jr, Arsenal could find themselves going head-to-head with United for Inter Milan's Pio Esposito. The Sun reports that the Gunners sent scouts to Inter's pre-season derby against AC Milan to watch the 21-year-old.

It is claimed that Arteta is looking to bolster his forward line, which already features Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz and the 6ft3in Esposito has caught his eye in recent months. United are also believed to harbour an interest in the young striker but, unlike Arsenal, are in no hurry to table a bid.

However, Inter have publicly declared Esposito "untouchable" in a bid to deter interested European clubs. Yet it is reported that the Serie A side has quietly placed a £73m price tag on the player, should formal offers begin to materialise. Those close to Esposito suggest that, while he remains committed to Inter, the prospect of Premier League football is very much on his radar.

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Aston Villa 'increasingly concerned' about transfer

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are reportedly 'resigned to losing' Ezri Konsa as Arsenal table their offer for the experienced defender. Arteta's interest in the centre-back was heightened following William Saliba's back injury at the World Cup, with the Gunners now also contending with fitness concerns over Ben White and Jurrien Timber.

The 28-year-old is a prime target for Arsenal, though their opening bid was believed to fall just above half of Villa's £60m valuation. However, The Mail reports that Villa are growing "increasingly concerned" that Konsa could be heading for the exit door this summer.

Konsa's own team-mates are said to be anxious that he is plotting a departure, with Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans having already left the club. Liverpool are also grappling with defensive concerns of their own and could enter the race for Konsa.

Virgil van Dijk is now back in contention following the World Cup, but with Joe Gomez nursing a pre-season injury and Jeremy Jacquet absent from recent friendly fixtures, Andoni Iraola's side are in urgent need of reinforcements.