Arsenal are prepared to lodge a second offer for Ben White worth around £45 million, though Brighton & Hove Albion are holding out for £50 million.
According to Football.London, Arsenal are ready to speed up their pursuit of Ben White after seeing their £40 million getting rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion. Although the Gunners are reluctant to meet Brighton & Hove Albion’s £50 million, it appears they are ready to come up with an improved second bid, worth around £45 million.
The club is facing major budget restraints this summer, due to the poor financial year. However, following a dismal 2020/21 campaign, Mikel Arteta has promised fans to “ruthlessly” overhaul the entire squad, with White appearing to play a central feature to his newly designed defensive unit.
Arsenal have already confirmed the departure of David Luiz after his contract came to an end this summer. They are also expected to cash in Hector Bellerin, who is valued at around £21 million and is reportedly courted by Atletico Madrid.
Along with Bellerin, the Gunners are also expected to offload other unwanted players including Lucas Torreira, Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac and even Matteo Guendouzi, who is now a target for Borussia Dortmund.
Mikel Arteta’s interest in Ben White, therefore, is hardly surprising. The Spaniard appears to be a fan of the Englishman’s versatility as he operates in a centre-back, right-back, right-sided centre-back in a back three and even the holding midfield position. It will be extremely useful as the club looks to think out the squad.
In addition to his versatility, White has had a certain degree of success in recent years. He initially made his breakthrough in English football with Leeds United, playing a central role in their promotion-winning 2019/20 campaign in the Championship before starring for Brighton this past season.
The 23-year-old’s impressive performances earned him a call-up to the England national team earlier this summer. It was followed by a dream inclusion to the nation’s squad featuring in the ongoing European Championship, following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury.
UEFA Euro 2020 Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland | THT Preview
Although White is playing second fiddle to England’s main centre-backs, Arsenal believe he can emerge as one of Premier League’s finest defenders in the future. His versatility should greatly help Arteta as well, especially in the congested schedule of English football – making him a potentially viable investment for the club.
