Rio Ferdinand says he's heard Andrea Berta is pulling off a bargain signing, 'it's an absolute steal'
Andrea Berta has come under a lot of criticism this summer.
The Gunners have only signed Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes as major outfield additions so far, and many fans feel that is not good enough after a Premier League title-winning season.
Arsenal still need reinforcements on the left wing, up front and in defence, and work is going on behind the scenes to get deals done.
Rio Ferdinand believes the North Londoners are about to pull off a bargain signing: Ezri Konsa.
Rio Ferdinand’s instant reaction to Ezri Konsa joining Arsenal
Arsenal have struck a deal to sign Konsa from Aston Villa.
The Gunners have agreed to pay £51 million plus add-ons for the England international centre-back, who is set to undergo his medical on Thursday before finalising his move.
Ferdinand feels that is a bargain price for a player of Konsa’s quality.
He said in his YouTube video: “Aston Villa getting hurt again, man. One of their biggest, most consistent players, England international, Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, they’re saying. And 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. And it says that Arsenal are advancing talks with Konsa from Aston Villa. So Ornstein, I saw David Ornstein, a friend of the channel, saying £51 million plus add-ons.
“I think that’s an absolute steal in today’s market. 28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service. 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. William Saliba’s injury concerns as well. He’s going to be great cover and 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. So, well done Arsenal. If you go and get him, again, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league, because it’s a sensible and very good signing.”
Arsenal signing Ezri Konsa is a masterstroke
There has been a lot of debate on whether Arsenal should sign Konsa this summer.
The biggest concern has been the fact that he is 28 years old already, which means the Gunners are unlikely to ever make a profit on him.
However, what Konsa brings to Arsenal is the ability to hit the ground running and help them win ‘now’, which is exactly what they need.
You can argue that the price is too high for a player of his age, but Ferdinand is absolutely right about everything else he said above.
Konsa checks all the boxes, and in Saliba’s absence, he could prove to be one of the signings of the window.
