Brighton & Hove Albion want Arsenal to raise their offer for Ben White as the Seagulls look prepared to extract top value for their prized asset.
According to The Sun, Brighton & Hove Albion are unhappy with Arsenal’s latest offer for Ben White and are now demanding over £50 million for the defender. The onus is now on the Gunners to respond to these demands and meet the Seagulls’ valuation.
Arsenal have been in pursuit of Ben White right from the start of this transfer window. The Gunners were seeking a viable player at right centre-back and identified the Englishman as their preferred choice. The departure of David Luiz and the uncertainty surrounding William Saliba leaves a void on that side, with Rob Holding the only option.
Arsenal have been linked with several other players, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde in weeks prior. However, the North London side have since prioritised White as their ideal target for the position.
Having been locked in talks with Brighton over the transfer, the Gunners saw offers knocked back for the England international. The latest reports in the past week suggested both clubs could agree on a fee, but things don’t look that way anymore.
Brighton are playing hardball with Arsenal and seemingly want to extract top value for their player. According to the report, they want the Gunners to pay £50 million plus more in bonuses. Arsenal’s last reported offer was around £50 million, including add-ons, but the Seagulls’ refusal to budge and demand more could hamper the deal.
Arsenal’s strong interest in White, though, indicates that the club might go back to Brighton with a new offer. However, they will also be wary of the increased demands and negotiate further than paying over the odds for the Englishman. If things hit a pause between the clubs, there could be other sides like Real Madrid who might enter the race for the defender.
Arsenal will be careful not to let this happen and will want to close the deal sooner than later. White remains a key target for Mikel Arteta as he views the defender as a long-term acquisition for the club. Alternatively, the Gunners could also end their interest and focus on other targets they can acquire at a lower price. While they will be hoping to see White in their colours, but will they pay what Brighton demand remains the big question.
