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Arsenal are close to landing their first summer signing after reaching an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion over Ben White. The Gunners are still in negotiations with Brighton but are reportedly closing in on a deal worth £50million for the England defender.
Mikel Arteta has been desperate to bolster his squad this summer following a disappointing 2020/21 season which saw Arsenal finish eighth in the Premier League.
White has emerged as a priority target for the club this month after his strong season for the Seagulls was rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.
Arsenal reportedly had a £40m bid rejected for the 23-year-old centre-back but have since returned with an improved offer.
The Athletic reports that the club are now proposing a package worth £45m with another £5m in add-ons attached in order to reach Brighton’s £50m valuation.
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However, while the 22-year-old defender could join a new club this summer, Arsenal reportedly considered a transfer not to be viable, with Sevilla likely to value him too highly.
It now looks as though White will be playing for Arsenal next season, as their first-choice on the right side of central defence.
That is bad news for William Saliba, who is yet to make a first team appearance for the Gunners since his £27m move from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
Saliba impressed on loan with Nice in the second half of last season but is now expected to go out on loan for a third time in 2021/22.
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