BEN WHITE’s Arsenal move appears to be reaching its closing stages despite Man City and Everton vying with the Gunners for the centre-back.
Football London claims the club’s deal to buy the Brighton ace is all but done with the switch due to be finalised after the Euros.
The Toffees, who confirmed Rafa Benitez as their new manager, are thought to have held negotiations with Albion officials over a possible £50million switch.
And Football London says the Goodison Park giants were reportedly preparing to make an offer that would have bested the package tabled by Arsenal.
It is thought Mikel Arteta’s side are offering £42m guaranteed with a further £6m in add-ons.
This reportedly follows initial bids of £40m and later £45m plus £5m in add-ons, with Brighton chiefs reportedly eager for a higher bid.
And although White, 23, is believed to prefer an Emirates move it is thought the Seagulls player was impressed by the efforts of transfer chiefs at Everton.
However, a move to North London after the European Championships is thought to be looking the likeliest option for the England international.
And Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate hinted that summer deals involving some of his players could be in line to be completed after the contest.
The centre-back, who was born in Poole, made 36 top-flight starts for Graham Potter’s Seagulls helping them to avoid relegation.
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Brighton finished thirteenth in the table and 13 points above the drop zone.
White, who began his senior career at Brighton in 2016, enjoyed loan spells at Newport County, Peterborough and Leeds between 2017 and 2020.
The England centre-back was listed in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year for the 2019-20 season following his successful one-year stint at Leeds.
And the player featured in 46 second-flight games that season helping the club to win promotion to the Premier League in July 2020.
Elsewhere William Saliba is reportedly set to join Marseille on loan following temporary spells with Saint Etienne and Nice
The France Under 20 centre-back sealed a £27million move to the Gunners in July 2019.
However, Saliba has so far struggled to make a breakthrough into Mikel Arteta’s side.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
