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Arsenal to make third bid for Brighton’s Ben White

Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White, as they prepare to make a third bid for the England international.

The 23-year-old has seemingly emerged as the Gunners top defensive target, as Mikel Arteta looks to freshen up his playing squad following another disappointing domestic campaign last time out.

 

The Brighton defender has previously spent time out on-loan at both Newport County and Peterborough, before rising to prominence during his stint at Leeds United during the 2019/20 campaign, the centre-back playing a pivotal role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

While he was the subject of repeated offers from Marcelo Bielsa’s side last summer, White remained at the Seagulls for the most recent campaign, going on to play 36 times in the top-flight under Graham Potter and earn a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad.

The versatile defender has already reportedly been the subject of two bids from the north London club, yet according to Sky Sports, Arsenal are readying a third bid to try and prize him from the Amex.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom has already admitted he would be willing to cash in if the club were to receive ‘the right offer’, with recent rumours suggesting the player will be available for a fee in the region of £50m.

The Gunners have already submitted £40m and £45m knocked back by the Seagulls, though the report doesn’t give any indication to the value of the third improved bid.

The North London side are currently in need of defensive reinforcements after seeing David Luiz depart following the expiry of his contract last month, while both Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis were both allowed to leave in January.

The club currently have Pablo Mari, Rob Holding and Gabriel as centre-back options, with 20-year-old defender William Saliba set for another spell out on-loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille.

The former Saint-Etienne man is set to be joined at the French club by Matteo Guendouzi, who will make the switch on an initial loan deal that includes an obligation to buy, having spent last season at Hertha Berlin.

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka also appears set to link up with former Tottenham Hotspur coach Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, while the likes of Lucas Torreira, Saed Kolasinac and Eddie Nketiah are also seemingly up for sale, the latter having failed to agree a new deal at the club.

The report goes on to add that the Gunners are close to completing an £8m deal for Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares as competition for first-choice defender Kieran Tierney, while Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is also nearing a £17m switch to the Emirates.

The club have also recently been linked with a new goalkeeping addition, England teammates Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone two of the names to have been mentioned in recent weeks.

Eight players that shone during the Euro 2020 quarter-finals

See also – Nuno, Rafa, Vieira – The ‘to-do list’ awaiting each newly appointed manager

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