Arsenal are set for a big squad overhaul this summer as they look to massively improve on last season's poor campaign, football.london understands.
A host of Gunners players are being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium in the coming months with Mikel Arteta looking to leave his mark on the squad.
Granit Xhaka is close to departing, it is understood, with the likes of Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bernd Leno also being involved in plenty of transfer rumours.
David Luiz has already announced his exit, upon the expiry of his Arsenal contract later this month.
That leaves a gap in the centre-back position, and according to The Athletic, the Gunners are acting quickly.
Ben White of Brighton has emerged as a 'concrete target' for Edu and Arteta, with Arsenal having to pay in the region of £40-50million if they are to land his services this summer, the report claims.
However, other reports have suggested that Liverpool, Manchester United and Leeds United are also in for the England defender.
But our sister title, LeedsLive, are today reporting that speculation linking White with a return to Elland Road this summer is "very far off the mark", with the club not interested in making a move.
The 23-year-old spent the 2020/21 season on loan with the Yorkshire club, where his impressive performances at the back, and sometimes in midfield, helped Leeds clinch the Championship title and a long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa already has four solid centre-backs at his disposal in Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk, meaning the Whites will not be interested in spending huge money to bring another defender to the club this summer.
However, the Gunners could still face some serious competition for White's signature from Liverpool and Manchester United - who can both boast European football next season.
