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Arsenal have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, and several leading reports say their next two additions could arrive from Manchester United.

Konsa, 28, is due to undergo a medical on Thursday before finalising his permanent move to Arsenal. The Gunners are paying £51m plus add-ons for the defender, who is regarded as being at the height of his career.

Arsenal’s push to bring in another defender was driven by injuries to both William Saliba (back) and Jurrien Timber (groin), with the pair currently sidelined.

Konsa is capable of operating at centre-back as well as right-back, giving even greater depth to a back line that is already widely viewed as the strongest and deepest in the Premier League.

Arsenal are also hoping to recruit a top-class left winger and, if finances allow, a prolific new striker as well.

However, while the Gunners are very much focused on winning immediately, they are also keeping a close eye on their longer-term planning.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Arsenal are working on a double raid on Manchester United’s academy.

The two players they are targeting are 19-year-old winger James Scanlon and 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye.

In addition, The Telegraph said Arsenal are ‘growing in confidence’ that they will be able to get both transfers over the line.

A later update from The Athletic backed up those claims, saying: ‘Arsenal are working to complete the signings of Manchester United academy players James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye.

‘The north London club are confident of finalising deals for both Scanlon, a 19-year-old winger, and 20-year-old right-back Ogunneye.’

Losing both players would be tough for United to accept, especially given the destination involved.

What would make it sting even more is that both players were key figures in United’s successful Under-19s campaign last season.

The Athletic added: ‘Both Scanlon and Ogunneye were part of United’s successful under-18s campaign that season, winning the U18 Premier League National title and the U18 Premier League Cup, as well as finishing as regional league champions.’