Arsenal ‘finally AGREE £50million deal for Brighton’s Ben White with England defender to sign five-year deal’ as Mikel Arteta bolsters Gunners defence
- Arsenal have agreed a £50million deal with Brighton for defender Ben White
- White, 23, was part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad but did not play
- The Gunners saw two previous bids rejected by Brighton earlier this year
Arsenal have agreed terms with Brighton over the much-anticipated transfer of Ben White for £50million.
According to The Sun, White has agreed personal terms with the Gunners and, subject to a medical, is set to sign a five-year deal, with the England player to become Arsenal’s most expensive defender ever.
Mikel Arteta has finally got his man after pursuing White for some time. Brighton rejected an initial bid of £40m for the 23-year-old last month, and also turned down Arsenal’s follow-up offer of £45m plus add ons.
Arsenal have finallly agreed a £50million deal with Brighton for centre back Ben White
White (left) was a late call-up to England’s Euro 2020 squad but did not play in the tournament
While several other clubs – including Chelsea, Everton, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham – were all heavily interested in White, Arsenal are understood to be the only club to make formal bids for him.
White’s career has taken off over the past season, with the Seagull a late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.
However, after playing in friendlies against Austria and Romania, he did not feature at all in the tournament.
Mikel Arteta is an admirer of White’s and saw two previous bids for him rejected by Brighton
It is still a remarkable rise for White, who was playing on loan at Newport County in League Two just three years ago.
He was released by Southampton in 2014 and after Brighton signed him, spent much of his time out on loan. But he broke into Graham Potter’s first team last season and shone as a right-sided centre-back.
