Phil Foden has admitted he has been shocked by Ben White's ability during England training sessions as the defender nears a £50million transfer to Arsenal.
football.london understands that the Gunners are set to complete the signing of the Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back, with the two clubs close to agreeing on a £50m deal.
Arsenal had a first bid of around £40m turned down by the Seagulls, but were not put off and quickly returned with an improved offer.
White has now agreed personal terms with the Gunners, as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his defence this summer after a poor 2020/21 season.
David Luiz will leave the Emirates Stadium later this month upon the expiry of his contract, with Konstantinos Mavropanos joining Stuttgart on a loan deal. William Saliba is understood to be assessing his options ahead of the new season as well.
So, with White set to join the club, Arsenal fans will be overjoyed by Foden's short and simple verdict on the 23-year-old. The Manchester City star has been training with the centre-back with England at Euro 2020.
When asked who has shocked him most inside the England camp, Foden told ITV Sport: “I haven’t really seen a lot of Ben. But he’s came in and he’s been brilliant in training, so I’d probably say Ben White.”
White is yet to make an appearance for the Three Lions at the ongoing Euros, with the Brighton defender called up to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was ruled out of the competition after suffering an injury earlier this month.
The England central defender impressed for the Seagulls throughout the 2020/21 campaign, which earned him a call-up from Gareth Southgate, but Harry Maguire, John Stones and Tyrone Mings are all ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands.
