Arsenal close to deal for second summer signing

Arsenal look set complete their second summer signing in the coming days, with England international Ben White undergoing a medical on Wednesday ahead of a proposed £50 million move to North London. 

The Brighton and Hove Albion defender was in demand after impressing at the heart of the Seagulls’ defence last term, and Arsenal had two offers rebuffed before the huge fee was eventually agreed upon.

Initial offers of £40 million and £47 million were both rejected, before the south coast side eventually agreed on the higher fee of £50 million.

White impressed for Brighton last term.

White made his England debut towards the end of last season and was a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020 as a last-minute replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, however the Brighton man failed to make an appearance at the tournament.

The 23-year-old, who featured in 36 of Brighton’s 38 league games last season, will have a sell-on clause inserted into his contract with the Gunners, according to Sky Sports.

White was part of a Brighton side that boasted the joint-best defence in the bottom half of the Premier League last season, and had also previously impressed in the Championship while on loan with Leeds United.