Arsenal are pursuing John Stones and Ezri Konsa to bolster their defence after William Saliba was ruled out for an extended period with a back injury sustained during France's World Cup semi-final loss to Spain. The 25-year-old avoids surgery but faces lengthy rehabilitation.

Stones, 32, is a free agent after leaving Manchester City and previously worked with manager Mikel Arteta during his assistant tenure at the Etihad. Sky Sports News reports Chelsea are also monitoring the England international. Konsa, 28, has two years remaining on his Aston Villa contract and featured alongside Stones at the World Cup. Both players offer versatility, capable of operating at right-back.

The Gunners have already secured Piero Hincapie permanently following his loan from Bayer Leverkusen. Existing centre-back options include Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Ben White, though White only recently returned from a knee injury and Timber continues groin rehabilitation.