Arsenal hold an interest in John Stones and Ezri Konsa as they look to sign a centre-back this summer following news of an extended period on the sidelines for <a href='https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/13566125/william-saliba-injury-arsenal-confirm-france-international-will-miss-extended-period-after-returning-from-world-cup-with-back-problem'>William Saliba</a>. <p>Saliba has avoided the need for surgery after injuring his back during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain but the 25-year-old faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation.</p><p>Stones is available as a free agent having reached the end of his contract at Manchester City last month. <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13565768/chelsea-transfer-news-john-stones-emerges-as-potential-option-after-summer-exit-from-man-city"><em>Sky Sports News</em> has reported the England defender is a also a target for Chelsea</a>.</p><p>The 32-year-old worked with Mikel Arteta during the Arsenal manager's time as assistant to Pep Guardiola at City.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/13566125/william-saliba-injury-arsenal-confirm-france-international-will-miss-extended-period-after-returning-from-world-cup-with-back-problem"><strong>William Saliba out for 'extended period' out with back injury</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp">Transfer Centre LIVE!</a> | <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11095/13025486/arsenal-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-and-latest-on-deals-signings-loans-and-contracts">Arsenal news & transfers</a>🔴⚪</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/arsenal-scores-fixtures">Arsenal fixtures & scores</a> | <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/FreePLHighlightsFirst">FREE Arsenal PL highlights</a>▶️</strong></li><li><strong>Got Sky? <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchPremarticles">Watch Arsenal games LIVE on your phone</a>📱</strong></li><li><strong>No Sky? <a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">stream with no contract on NOW</a>📺</strong></li></ul><widget id="2"></widget><p>Konsa, who represented England alongside Stones at the World Cup, is four years younger than Stones at 28 and has two years remaining on his contract at Aston Villa.</p><p>Both players can also operate at right-back.</p><p>Arsenal have consolidated their defensive options by completing the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie following his loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen last season.</p><p>They also have Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Ben White as centre-back options.</p> <widget id="3"></widget><p>White has returned to training following the knee injury he suffered in May, while Timber said this week he is "hopefully back soon" as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin problem.</p>
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