Arsenal are plotting a move for Brighton defender Ben White according to multiple reports and some fans have reacted with mixed emotions.
The 23-year-old joined the Seagulls back in 2014 and has previously had loan spells at Newport County of League Two, Peterborough United of League One, and Leeds United. At Leeds the defender played every game, helping them win the 2019–20 Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League.
The Southampton academy graduate featured in 39 games for Graham Potter’s side across all competitions last season. His form for Brighton earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship.
The Athletic are reporting that White has emerged as a ‘concrete’ target for the Gunners this summer and the club are preparing a move for him. It further claims that there has been no contact between the two sides but that is expected to change in due course as the north Londoners continue their rebuild.
On the other hand, Daily Mail state that the Emirates club have already held exploratory talks to get a deal done. The Gunners will face opposition from fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United and Liverpool.
The defender’s current contract keeps him at the Amex Stadium until 2024 but Brighton chairman, Tony Bloom, has admitted that they will be willing to sell their star players should they receive sizeable offers. The South Coast club could demand a fee between £40-50 million.
Here is how some fans reacted to the news on Twitter:
WE HAVE GABRIEL. WE HAVE SALIBA. WHY.
— harm (@harmswrld) June 11, 2021
he is not worth 50 mil or even 40 mil — this is a gross valuation
— Richard Earl (@n2henry) June 11, 2021
He’s a talented player and would be one of our best centre backs but not for £50 million. £35 million would be a brilliant move tbh
— #kroenkeout (@MartisakaFc) June 11, 2021
If you’re referring to Mings. Solid no.
Ben White I’d have in a heartbeat at Arsenal
— Lottie 🎗🐝 (@Lottiie_B) June 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/afc_margie/status/1404012302047850496
if arsenal can spend 50 million on ben white then surely they can spend 80 million to get jack grealish
— Shkumbin🇽🇰 (@afcshkumbin) June 13, 2021
Arsenal Fever View:
With the recent departure of David Luiz, Mikel Arteta will look to strengthen the defence. But the Gunners’ interest in White raises questions regarding William Saliba’s future. The £30 million centre-back has not played a single game for the Emirates club since joining in 2019.
The 20-year-old had a productive loan spell at Nice and helped them finish in the top half of the Ligue 1 table. The arrival of the Brighton defender could put the Frenchman’s future in jeopardy.
Arsenal’s finances will take a hit after failing to qualify for Europe next season and they also have a number of positions where an injection of quality is required, which will take a lot of money out of their coffers. Their midfield is a position that needs immediate addressing and it would make more sense if they went after White’s teammate Yves Bissouma who is available for a much cheaper price.
The Gunners build from the back so it is important to have a commanding centre-back. White fits the profile but his price tag questions the need to invest so much in a position that already has contenders.
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