Arsenal reportedly ready to rival Liverpool and Manchester United in pursuit of Ben White, who is expected to cost around £50 million.
According to a report from Mirror, Arsenal have become the latest club to express their desire in signing Ben White. Brighton & Hove Albion are facing a tough battle to keep hold of their prized defensive asset, who is also being courted by a number of other top English clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool.
The defender is thought to be valued at around £50 million, although Brighton’s preference is to retain his services for the new season. It might be a far-fetched ambition, though, as the Seagulls finished the 2020/21 campaign at the wrong end of the table.
Brighton are also anticipating the departure of a few additional star players including Yves Bissouma, who is keen on a move to Arsenal this summer. White, nevertheless, certainly has his future elsewhere, especially after being included in the England squad for the upcoming European Championship.
Arsenal’s interest in the youngster stems from Mikel Arteta’s desire to reshape his defensive unit. The Spaniard is apparently looking for a versatile, ball-playing defender, with White fitting the bill perfectly as he can play as a right sided centre-back of a back three, centre-back and right-back, in addition to the holding midfield position.
The 23-year-old’s versatility appeals to other clubs as well, including Manchester United, who are on the lookout for an upgrade over Victor Lindelof. The Red Devils have been linked with a number of other alternatives, though, including Cristian Romero, although the Argentine’s €60 million valuation might put them off.
Arsenal, too, are facing financial constraints after a difficult season that saw them miss out on European football for the first time in 25 years. The Gunners, however, are hopeful of offloading multiple fringe players in an attempt to fund move for new targets, with Matteo Guendouzi already being subjected to a potential permanent switch to Marseille.
As for Liverpool, they are intent on adding more depth in their defensive unit, despite securing the services of Ibrahima Konate earlier in the summer. The Reds are set to welcome Virgil van Dijk back from injury next season, but it appears Jurgen Klopp is already preparing for the future, making Ben White an ideal long-term investment.
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It will be interesting to see which one of the suitors, including Tottenham, prevail in the four-way battle to sign White, whose £50 million asking fee price sure to cause a dilemma, especially in the current financial climate. Arsenal’s entry into the picture certainly spices things up a little, and puts Liverpool and Manchester United under pressure.
