Arsenal close to completing the signing of Ben White | Sportslens.com

Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Ben White from Brighton.

According to reports from Football London, the Gunners are edging closer to completing their first signing of the summer transfer window, with a deal for White close to being done.

The Gunners initially offered a fee in the region of £40m which was rejected. The Athletic claimed last week that the Londoners are prepared to offer £45 million with another £5m in add-ons, with Brighton holding firm on their £50m valuation.

Now Football London reports that the Gunners and Brighton are close to settling on a £50million agreement that will see the England defender moving to the north London club.

White enjoyed a superb campaign with Brighton last season, and he would be a brilliant signing for the Gunners. Arsenal are looking to bolster their defence this summer, with Mikel Arteta looking to sign a replacement for David Luiz.

William Saliba is another player who could leave the club on loan this summer.

White can also play as a defensive midfielder, and his versatility could prove useful during injuries and rotation.

Arsenal are paying a huge amount for a player who has only experienced one year of Premier League football. It shows how highly the club rates him, and that they are putting in a lot of faith in him.

Should the deal go through, he will become the third most expensive signing for the club behind Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal are also looking to bolster other areas of the pitch, with signing a striker and a midfielder is also on Arteta’s wish-list.

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