Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ‘confident’ of Ben White transfer as Gunners prepare second bid

Transfer update: How much have Premier League clubs spent?

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ‘confident’ of signing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White this summer, according to reports. The Gunners had their opening bid of around £40million rejected by Brighton this week but are planning on returning with an improved offer in order to land their man.

White has emerged as one of Arsenal’s top summer transfer priorities in recent weeks, following his call-up to the England squad.

The 23-year-old defender made 39 appearances across all competitions for Brighton last season, playing in central defence, as well as at right-back and in holding midfield.

His youth, versatility and talent have convinced Arsenal to go all out to try and earn his signature in the off-season.

White signed a new four-year contract worth around £35,000 per week last summer, but the Gunners are undeterred in their chase.

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According to the Mirror, Arteta is still ‘confident’ of signing the England international and the two clubs ‘remain in dialogue over a potential move’.

White is away with England at St George’s Park ahead of Friday’s second Euro 2020 Group D fixture against Scotland on Friday but is said to be ‘fully aware of the interest’.

While Arsenal are clear frontrunners, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all ‘keeping a close eye on developments’.

Brighton are reportedly holding out for closer to £50m for White’s signature and are in no rush to sell a player whose value has skyrocketed in recent weeks.

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White was a surprise call-up to Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man squad but earned a place in the England manager’s final 26-man group after Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to pull out through injury.

While the Seagulls are understandably reluctant to sell White and midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has also been linked with Arsenal, the club is realistic with their outlook.

Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber admitted recently that the club are expecting departures in the summer transfer window.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Brighton are reportedly close to signing Argentina forward Nicolas Gonzalez after agreeing to pay a club-record £25m transfer fee to Stuttgart.

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