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Arsenal set to sign 23-year-old star: Big money bid accepted, personal terms agreed

By on June 24, 2021

ben white

According to various reports today, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Brighton defender Ben White after submitting an improved offer worth £50m.

White has been touted as one of Arsenal’s key transfer targets this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to revamp his squad following a hugely disappointing 2020/21 campaign.

Widespread reports last week claimed that our opening £40m offer was rejected by Brighton but it seems we’ve now returned with an improved bid. The Athletic journalist David Ornstein says Arsenal’s offer is now worth £45m up front and a further £5m in add ons.

Ornstein says the deal is now close to completion but journalist Aden-Jay Wood – a Brighton correspondent who used to work at Sky Sports – has claimed Brighton have now accepted Arsenal’s £50m proposal.

Wood says the move is now expected to go through as Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with White. He tweeted:

Can confirm a £50m bid has been accepted by Brighton from Arsenal for their England defender Ben White. Expect this deal to go through now, personal terms already agreed. Big move for Ben

So it looks like Arsenal are on the verge of completing our first major signing of the summer and I must admit I didn’t expect it to be another centre-back – certainly not one that cost £50m!

Obviously we need to replace David Luiz after he left following the expiration of his contract but most Arsenal fans thought William Saliba would be given a chance to stake his claim. He’s spent the last two seasons on loan having joined the club for £27m in 2019 so it would make sense for him to be given an opportunity to impress.

Salina out?

However, it looks like Arteta isn’t convinced by Saliba at all and if this proposed White deal goes through, I expect the Frenchman to leave this summer – either on loan again or on a permanent basis.

White will be an interesting signing. He was hugely impressive for Brighton last season and earned a place in the England Euro 2020 squad this summer so he’s does have lots of potential.

The 23-year-old’s main position is at centre-back but he can also play at right-back or even in defensive midfield so his versatility will have appealed to Arsenal. But it’s going to be interesting to see how Arteta uses him next season. At £50m, you have to assume he’ll be a regular but will it be alongside Gabriel at centre-back? Is Arteta moving to a back three? Or perhaps the boss sees White as a replacement for Hector Bellerin?

Let’s wait and see if this deal gets over the line but I must admit I’m surprised we’re spending £50m on a centre-back when we desperately need at least one top class central midfielder and a world class creative midfielder.

Hopefully Arteta has the funds to spend big on those positions too this summer.

2 Comments

  1. Alex Hope

    June 24, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    Simply NOT true, no bids received etc etc confirmed by Argus Brighton’s local paper with close links to the club.

  2. Awida

    June 24, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    speculation