Arsenal are closing in on Brighton defender Ben White, with a £ 50m deal now expected to be agreed in the next few days.
The Gunners are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer, after allowing Brazilian center-back David Luiz to leave the club when his contract expires.
Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to be backed up to a sum of £ 250 million as he tries to review Arsenal’s squad, and after seeing an initial bid of around £ 40 million for White snubbed by Brighton, progress now seems to have been made in talks between two parties .
Athletic note that Arsenal are concluding a deal that could eventually be worth £ 50 million for Brighton, with the Seagulls determined that they want all the money in advance. As it stands, the Gunners are proposing an advance payment of £ 45m, with an additional £ 5m to be paid in addition further down the line.
The talks are expected to focus on how achievable the additions would be, but it is unlikely that they will prevent a deal being struck out.
Ben White is currently away with England / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
White is currently on international duty with England at Euro 2020 after receiving a late call in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. It came from an impressive season in Brighton, where he proved to be a valuable asset both in the heart of the defense and in midfield.
Given White’s international commitments, each deal may have to wait until England’s Euro 2020 campaign is over before concluding – despite previous reports suggesting personal terms could be quickly agreed.
While the signing of White would ensure that Arsenal ticked off one of the areas in their squad that they hoped could strengthen, it raises further questions about William Saliba’s future.
The young French defender arrived at the Emirates Stadium two years ago to great fanfare, after costing a princely £ 27 million. But Saliba was immediately loaned out to Saint-Etienne and also spent last season back in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice.
Many had expected him to be integrated into Arsenal’s first team in the near future, but rumors abound that Arteta may be willing to reduce his losses on the 20-year-old. Newcastle are just one of a number of clubs credited with interest in his signature.
