Premier League giants Arsenal have, on Friday evening, clinched a deal with Brighton & Hove Albion for Ben White, according to reports.
Gunners links
The name of gifted stopper White has of course taken centre stage in the media of late.
This comes amid mounting interest in the 23-year-old on the part of the aforementioned Arsenal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has seemingly identified White as the ideal addition to his at-times shaky backline in North London, with some reports having gone as far as to suggest that the Seagulls star is viewed as a potential future captain at the Emirates.
In turn, a big-money agreement between Arsenal and Brighton has been widely touted, with the board on the red half of the capital having been tipped to part with as much as £50 million to secure White’s services.
🚨 Arsenal moving closer to agreement with Brighton for Ben White. #BHAFC want guaranteed ~£50m, #AFC offering ~£45m + £5m. Face-to-face talks have taken place & negotiations continue over add-ons, payment structure etc. No other bidders yet @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/x9fJEUSMZ3
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 24, 2021
London bound
It had therefore no doubt come as something of a concern for the Gunners faithful that, over the last couple of weeks, word of progress towards a deal being completed between the two clubs had gone somewhat quiet.
Such stalling had even resulted in claims that the likes of Chelsea and Everton had emerged as late contenders for White’s signature.
As outlined above, though, on Friday evening, a breakthrough finally appears to have been found.
As per a report from The Sun’s Tom Barclay, ‘Arsenal have agreed a deal with Brighton for Ben White’.
This comes with the Gunners hierarchy having agreed to cough up the full asking price demanded by their counterparts at the Amex – £50 million, after seeing offers of both £40 million and £42 million turned down.
With personal terms having already been agreed between club and player, all that therefore remains is for White to put pen to paper on a 5-year contract at the Emirates.
Arsenal AGREE £50m Ben White transfer | @TomBarclay_ https://t.co/DOku4IeAje
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 16, 2021
*Update* – The Sun’s report has since been backed by the reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic.
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