Arsenal and Brighton close to agreement for Ben White
Arsenal are believed to be extremely close to signing Brighton and Hove Albion’s Ben White, reports David Ornstein.
The Seagulls are asking for a guaranteed fee of £50 million for their 23-year-old defender. While Arsenal are only willing to offer £45 million, with additional £5 million in bonuses.
After seeing their first offer for the England international rejected, The Gunners were undeterred in the chase for the coveted center-back. Face-to-face talks were held between the clubs and there is a feeling that the agreement might be reached imminently.
Personal terms are not believed to be a hindering block
🚨 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
The reliable journalist further reported, “Discussions continue and are likely to focus on the nature and achievability of those bonus payments, as well as the structure of the transaction.
“Personal terms should not be a problem.” It is also believed that White was Mikel Arteta’s first-choice at the right centerback slot. His arrival would mean that the former Leeds United man will become the most expensive centerback in Arsenal’s history, with Shkodran Mustafi holding the fort for the moment.
There was a common belief inside the club that the player who will tick the majority of boxes will come at a substantial price. Arsenal have also been linked with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
Other clubs are under the impression that White is destined to join Arsenal: Ormstein
But the club ultimately realized that it was not possible to land either of them. Their attentions then turned to Ben White, who now appears to become an Arsenal player soon.
Ornstein. on his The Athletic piece, further stated that several other clubs were interested in acquiring the services of the young defender. But majority of them are under the impression that he is joining Arsenal. Thus, Brighton haven’t received offers from any other club.
Taking a close look at Ben White’s heat map here, I have a sneaky feeling we are bringing him in to play an inverted RB role👀
I’m inclined to believe this could be one of the reasons why we have not intensified our interest in any of our RB targets. 👍 pic.twitter.com/YHotT2kWyk
— Afc things (@Gunner2Jasper) June 23, 2021
The player, who was released by Southampton in 2014, only to be taken by Brighton, is currently in the England camp preparing for the nation’s crucial Round of 16 tie against Germany on Tuesday evening.
Many fans have shown their frustration on the news, as they fear it might be the end of their highly admired defender William Saliba.
The Gunners spent an enormous fee on the young Frenchman, only to loan him out for two successive seasons. Another loan move looks highly probable with English club Newcastle United having already shown interest.
If Ben White does end up joining Arsenal, venting out frustration on their newly acquired asset would not seem rational. Supporting him while also hoping that Saliba gets his due chances would be a wise decision.
Tierney, Gabriel, White, Cedric.
Arteta’s latest back line signings so far. Not a bad one, though.
@S.J
Emery signed Tierney, arteta signed gabriel n cedric but he neva fancied cedric(got overlooked for the left back role and used xhaka instead, also ignored him for his main role and puts Chambers there) it wil be hard to see cedric in our lineup unless something has changed between him n arteta
Keeping up with traditions I see:
-Overpriced English players
-Arsenal buying high
-Arsenal selling low
That’s definitely the goal, buy him for 50m now and sale him for 20m later
He’s not a natural RB from what I can tell, so I will be disappointed if he’s brought in for that position. That said, Chambers is not a natural RB either, yet performed very well under MA in that position.
I guess we shouldn’t complain too much, as White will be a huge upgrade on Bellerin though.
Neither was Canceló for City yet he’s revolutionised the role. I don’t think the term ‘natural’ means anything in modern football. Roles are defined and redefined by constantly evolving tactics.
However Chambers did played RB for Southampton several years back and he did well there
TMJW
Chambers was bought as a right back from Southampton.
Well I’m looking forward to him coming!!
Me too 😄
Good! Was beginning to feel all alone 😆
Once he is a gunner we should all support him no matter what. The idea of inverted RB is a good one and Cedric can be used as a back up LB. Also he will fit into a 343 system. My only concern is that his purchase should not come in the way of Saliba, the lad is really talented, too good to be on the bench or go on another loan. Now MA must focus to bring in a good DM, CAM, GK and a goal getting CF. With the right buys we can fight for a top 4, thats where Arsenal belongs.
Glad our transfer business has started taking shape in actions as we now expect two signings soonest.
I see the transfer of Ben White to later prove to be a fantastic business for the club… watch the space.
White a good player but at 50m is overpriced
Kanote and Umpaceno both cost less than 35m
For me
Team can be
Martinelli Striker Saka
ESR Partey
White
Tierney Gabriel/Mari Saliba newRB
Bissouma maddison and RB next? Pretty please🙏
Overpriced, just because he is a white English man.
Based on his stats, he is no better talent than Saliba. Therefore, l would love to see a starting backline that includes Tierney, Gabriel, Saliba and White. It is claimed that Arteta is good at developing talents, so, why can’t he work with Saliba, who is one of the best young talents in Europe. Arteta needs to get rid of Willian, Cedric, Kolasinac, Mari, Holding, Torriera, Runarsson,Guendouzi and Xhaha and buy Lokonga, Aouar, Celik and Josh Doig.
EXTREMELY EXCELLENT SIGNING to turn away from the average defenders we are used to.
Now all I would love is;
Defensive midfielder (£30m): Neves / Ibrahima Diallo
Attacking Midfielder (£60 to £70m): Nicolo Barela / Madison
Leno
Cedric…White…Mari…Tierney
Partey…Neves/Diallo…Barela/Madison
Pepe…Aubameyang…Willian
That’s a title-challenge mounting team.
Aside with the rookie players.
Will this club ever learn how to spend its scarce money to improve the team and generate value? This concept is so basic, simple, and critical, especially in this period of crisis.
Wasting borrowed money on a low priority position before addressing more critical and urgent ones, is a clear case of mis-use of club resources (a “fireable” offence at other clubs). This has been our achilles heel for years – wasting money on poor recruitment decisions. Ben White for 50M is the latest example.
If we can’t get this right, we need to forget about top 4 and playing in Europe again.
I’ll say this, you can not survive in biesla team if you are not good on the ball, if you are not fit and if you don’t have a right attitude. Ben white for me is a no brainer. Man u wants him, man city wants him but he is choosing to come to us meaning he low key is a fan because what this two team has we can’t offer yet he is choosing us. Now I’ll say this, the fact that certain players are good in another league does not guarantee they will be in epl. Take for example, Liverpool signed nabil keita from liepzig but he hasn’t settled and plenty Liverpool can’t wait for him to be sold. Now does that mean he’s a bad player? My answer is no but he is not suitable for the epl. Mavropanos is a good defender typical sokratis but the younger version. For every match he played for Stuttgart he had 1 yellow card. I don’t need anyone to remind me about our indiscipline last season. If saliba was that finished article like we all clamoured for why has the top 6 french teams not in for him? We need to be very cautious. Saliba to me is impatient, he needs to wait for his time. A certain John stone was out of the team for So long but he stayed professional. But I don’t see saliba in that manner rather i see mavropanos. If we are to choose between the 2 player who should stay I’ll pick mavropanos all day. The worry is Gabriel whom I think too many social media activities is taking his focus away. If a bid was to come in from abroad we should catch in on him I sign another LCD. I’m good with Mari. Arsenal should resist the temptation to sign isiak, I see a quicker version of Eddy + a better hold up play and cheaper. I will take DCL all day, pl proven, hold up play, work ethic. And he’s still young. Belgium league has proven to birth fine young midfielders. I say we should up our scouting in Belgium and oh that lokonga kid is going to be a star. Why are we not going for nabil fekir? Cheap and all round a great player. We shouldn’t waste our transfer period pursuing ordegaard who may end up not coming. Arsenal should look to move torreira out immediately can’t have an unhappy player around before he taint others please. Oh tierny you beauty of a man new contract signed.
As an Arsenal supporter I wouldn’t lose sleep over not signing Ben White. Arsenal is not short of defenders. Actually I am at a loss to think what crime William Saliba has committed against Arteta. He simply doesn’t like the guy and yet he cost £27 m. It’s quite strange how Arteta treats some of the talented young players at Arsenal. Look at Joe, Willock and Martinelli. All these youngsters are massively talented but Arteta is not convinced they can make the grade at Arsenal. The same goes to Dino Masroponous. He was a star at Stuttgart who now want him on a permanent basis. Surely Arteta is brick headed