Arsenal football club have agreed to splash £50 million on Brighton center-back Ben White who could be the club’s major signing this summer.
Recall that earlier in the month, the club completed the signing of a 21-year-old Portuguese left-back, Nuno Tavares from Benfica for a transfer fee worth €8 million.
From all indications, Ben White looks like a top priority for Arsenal in this summer transfer window as coach Mikel Arteta attempts to solidify his defense ahead of the 2021-2022 season.
Recall that in June this year, Arsenal made the first attempt to sign Ben White but Brighton rejected their £40 million bid. To further display how much Mikel Arteta wanted the 23-year-old English defender at the club, Arsenal tried to make another £47 million move, Brighton turned it down to the spoiling of the soul of most Gunners fans.
The two failed attempts did not discourage Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director who continued to push for the signature of the 23-year-old English defender.
Negotiations continued until late on Friday when reports went viral that Arsenal have agreed in principle term to sign Ben White from Brighton for £50 million.
This means that Arsenal have finalized their part with Brighton, it is left for them to agree on personal terms with the England international. That is expected to drag a little longer since White is still on holiday after representing England in the just concluded Euro 2020.
Once he ends his holiday, he is expected to head to London to complete the necessary process and undergo medicals. Once that is done, Ben White will be announced as Arsenal’s footballer.
Why Arsenal fans should be happy for the coming of Ben White
Though it is not a done deal yet, from all indications, there could be no turning back on this deal. Once Ben White signs for the club, Arsenal fans deserve to celebrate.
Ben White has proven to be one of the fastest-growing defenders in the Premier League. He was instrumental in ensuring that Brighton survived relegation last season.
He played for Brighton 36 times in the Premier League last season; played twice in FA Cup and once in the league cup before his club was knocked out of the competitions.
Some good attributes of the defender are good technical ability, his tough tackling style, and his versatility. Ben White can function very well as a defensive midfielder, center-back, and right-back.
His brilliance inspired the head coach of England to invite him to the national team. White was deemed good enough to be among the 26 players that represented England in Euro 2020. However, he did not kick a ball until the tournament ended.
