Arsenal may have to see off competition from Real Madrid if they hope to sign Brighton’s Ben White.
football.london understands Arsenal had a £40million bid for the defender rejected by the Seagulls earlier in the week but are expected to go back with an improved offer of around £45m.
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.
Reports have even emerged that he 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.
But amid his clear interest in joining Mikel Arteta’s project, Arsenal and transfer chief Edu have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the defender after newly appointed Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti, told the Los Blancos hierarchy that he would like to sign White.
That is according to Spanish outlet, who say that Ancelotti is a fan of White and has added the 23-year-old to his list of potential targets.
After Sergio Ramos ended his 16-year association with the club, and reports that his long-term partner Raphael Varane could leave too, Madrid need another centre-back.
White could be sold if an offer of around £50m is made, especially after Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber 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.”
Arsenal will want to wrap up a deal quickly before others monitoring his situation swoop in.
.jpg?w=600)
