Rio Ferdinand makes Premier League title prediction after Arsenal agree £51m transfer

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Rio Ferdinand Presents)

Rio Ferdinand said the signing of Ezri Konsa only reinforces his belief that Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League again this season.

Mikel Arteta was desperate to add defensive reinforcements this summer, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both set to miss the start of the season through injury.

The Gunners identified Konsa as their number-one target and now appear to have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign the versatile defender for an initial fee of £51million.

Konsa will undergo his medical in the coming days and is Arsenal’s fourth new summer signing after Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.

Analysing Konsa’s move to the defending champions, Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: ‘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.

‘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.

Arsenal have agreed a deal for Ezri Konsa (Picture: PA)

’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 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.’

Mikel Arteta was keen to strengthen his side’s defence (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal will begin their title defence on Friday against newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates.

The Gunners have already laid down a marker with their comprehensive win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.

And Ferdinand believes that the imminent arrival of Konsa only puts them in a stronger position to successfully defend their title this season.

‘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,’ he added.

Rio Ferdinand praised Arsenal’s signing of Konsa (Picture: Getty)

Ferdinand’s former England teammate Michael Owen shares his sentiment and believes another Arsenal title win is virtually ‘set in stone’ this season.

‘Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again,’ Owen said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

‘I can’t see anyone jumping out of the pack and getting 85 points whereas Arsenal are pretty much guaranteed to hit that number again.

‘They’re such a steady team with such a good goalkeeper and defence, I just can’t see the wheels falling off.