Arsenal eye Ben White transfer swoop with Brighton demanding £40m-plus fee for England defender

ARSENAL have joined the race to sign Ben White with Brighton wanting at least £40million for their star.

The defender was rewarded for his stunning form this season with a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad.

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His displays had already caught the eye of Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool.

Now The Mirror states Mikel Arteta is also an admirer and is plotting a move this summer.

The Athletic claims no contact has yet been made between the Gunners and the Seagulls.

Although that is set to change in ‘due course’ with the South Coast club looking for between £40m and £50m for their prized-asset.

Arteta is desperate to strengthen his squad this summer after missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years.

And he is set to be given funds for him to rebuild in key areas.

Defence is one of his main priorities and the versatile White, who can play right-back, centrally or in midfield, have made him one of his prime targets.

The ace was released by Southampton at 16 before finding his way to Brighton and the European Championship via loan spells with Newport and Leeds.

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The Gunners have already lost David Luiz from their backline after his contract expired.

And they are believed to be ready to sell Hector Bellerin in order to raise extra funds for their expected transfer splurge.

But Brighton are also keen to keep White and in-demand midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has even been linked with Real Madrid as well as Arsenal.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk