Ben White has reportedly told friends that he expects to leave Brighton for Arsenal.
football.london understand Arsenal had a £40million bid for the defender rejected by the Seagulls earlier in the week but will go back with an improved offer, with talks ongoing.
White, whose impressive 2020/21 Premier League campaign earned him the final spot in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the Euros after Trent Alexander-Arnold withdrew through injury, is believed to be keen on a move to the Emirates.
And now, Football Insider report that White has let it be known to friends, including those from his days at Leeds United and in the England squad, that he is likely to end up at Arsenal before the end of the current transfer window.
They add that he has already begun house hunting in the capital in the expectation that the move will go through.
The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back, right-back or in central midfield, is contracted at Brighton until June 2024 but it is expected that Arsenal could be able to prize him away from the Amex Stadium if they up their bid to around £50m.
Brighton chief executive, Paul Barber, also recently admitted that the south coast side are willing to let go of their best players if the price is right.
"We know some of our best players aren’t going to be with us forever and, if the right offer comes along – and it has to be the right offer – and they want to leave, then they can go,” said Barber.
"If we’ve got players leaving, then we’ve got back-up internally, and we can go out into the transfer market. We’re always looking ahead.”
Mikel Arteta will want to wrap up a deal as soon as possible, however, as Liverpool and Manchester United are also reportedly monitoring his situation.
