Arsenal look to have made their first marquee signing of the 2021 summer transfer window. That man is none other than Ben White, the highly-rated Brighton and Hove Albion center-back who has been linked with the north London giants throughout Euro 2020.
These links initially came as a surprise to many given that the Gunners had the third-best defense in the league last season and were set to welcome back William Saliba back from loan. However, the Three Lions defender was identified as the ideal replacement for David Luiz, who left over the summer after his contract ended, with Saliba heading out on loan for the third consecutive time, this time to French heavyweights Marseille.
White was a member of England's Euro 2020 camp, which delayed things, but Arteta's side have finally struck an agreement with the Seagulls after seeing their first two bids rejected. Nothing is official but a deal has been agreed in principal, according to the Athletic, with Arsenal set to pay roughly $69M (£50M) for the 23-year-old.
Despite interest from the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd, Everton, and Tottenham; the Gunners were always in the driving seat for Ben White. After enjoying a stellar loan spell at Leeds in the Championship in 2019/20, the Englishman went on to enjoy a lovely 2020/21 Premier League campaign at the Amex.
He is currently on holiday and will only complete his medical upon his return on July 26. White will join Arteta's side alongside Nuno Tavares, the Portuguese left-back who joined from Benfica, and the incoming Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is completing his quarantine in London before putting pen to paper on his Arsenal contract.
Work is not complete at the Emirates Stadium, however, as Edu and Co. remain committed to luring Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli to the English capital. Juventus is the Sassuolo ace's preferred destination but his current employers are demanding $47M, with the Gunners being the only club to have met their asking price so far. Elsewhere, a right-back and a backup goalkeeper are also on Mikel's wish list.
