Ben White: Arsenal agree £50m deal to sign Brighton defender | Football News

Arsenal have agreed a deal to signal Brighton centre-back Ben White for £50m.

Sky Sports activities Information reported Arsenal had a £40m bid rejected in June with one other transfer for a worth of £47m subsequently rejected.

However with discussions persevering with into July, the 2 Premier League golf equipment appear to have reached an settlement on a deal that can see Brighton get a assured £50m from structured funds with no add ons.

Brighton have additionally inserted a sell-on clause for White, who was chosen by Gareth Southgate for England’s Euro 2020 marketing campaign.

The 23-year-old is anticipated to take a medical when he returns from vacation on July 26.

After leaving Southampton in 2014, White secured a transfer to Brighton and eventually made his mark on the south coast following mortgage spells with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United.

After breaking into the primary crew on the Amex Stadium he impressed final season within the Premier League within the coronary heart of the defence.

He additionally helped Brighton survive relegation and end sixteenth within the prime flight with the joint-best defence within the backside half of the league (46 targets conceded).

The Gunners wish to bolster their defence after ending eighth within the Premier League and lacking out on European soccer for the primary time because the 1994-95 season.

What would White bring to Arsenal?

By Sky Sports activities’ Nick Wright

Arsenal’s pursuit of Ben White has induced puzzlement amongst some supporters. For a facet with the third-best defensive report within the Premier League final season, would not £50m be higher spent elsewhere?

However for Mikel Arteta, like many coaches within the fashionable recreation, a central defender’s remit shouldn’t be merely to maintain the ball out of his personal web. It’s to maneuver it upfield as precisely and successfully as attainable, and in doing so grow to be the start line of the crew’s assaults.

Arteta regards enjoying out from the again as a key tenet of his philosophy, however progressing the ball from one finish of the pitch to the opposite has been a persistent drawback throughout his tenure – significantly when he has been with out David Luiz, whose departure this summer season has left a ball-playing void within the coronary heart of Arsenal’s defence.

Arsenal switch updates: Bellerin, Lokonga

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has informed Arsenal he desires a brand new problem.

Talks continue with Inter over a switch, and whereas Arsenal desire a everlasting deal – or at the least a mortgage with an obligation to purchase – the Serie A champions want a mortgage with an possibility to purchase.

Bellerin would welcome the transfer to Italy, and along with his Arsenal contract up in 2023, he won’t be extending his keep on the Emirates.

The 26-year-old is with the Arsenal squad in Scotland and got here off the bench in Tuesday’s pre-season defeat at Hibernian.

Albert Sambi Lokonga’s transfer from Anderlecht to Arsenal might be finalised as soon as the participant is out of quarantine.

Lokonga is in London after a deal was agreed final week. He might want to take last medical checks earlier than the deal is formally introduced, with the charge believed to be round £15m.

Arsenal fixtures 2021/22: Gunners start with Bees & Chelsea

Arsenal will begin their 2021/22 Premier League marketing campaign away at newcomers Brentford on Saturday August 14.

Mikel Arteta’s facet, who completed a disappointing eighth within the Premier League desk, then have a London derby on the Emirates towards European champions Chelsea on August 21, earlier than going to present champions Manchester Metropolis on August 28.

Arsenal’s first north London derby comes on the weekend of September 25 at dwelling to Tottenham, whereas the return fixture might be on the weekend of January 15 on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Comply with the summer season switch window with Sky Sports activities

You possibly can comply with all the most recent switch information and rumours in our devoted Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports activities’ digital platforms, in addition to conserving observe of all of the developments on Sky Sports activities Information.

New sequence: Soccer’s Cult Heroes

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Instructed by the gamers, followers and journalists that have been there – we delve into why these gamers created such a powerful bond with their followers and the way they’re nonetheless remembered years on.

Developing first on Wednesday is Robbie Fowler – The boy from Toxteth who grew to become ‘God’, that includes interviews with Jason McAteer, John Barnes, Emile Heskey and extra.

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