Ben White’s transfer situation has thrown up another interesting update.
The Arsenal defender had been widely expected to leave heading into the summer after five years of service at the Emirates.
According to Sky Sports, Everton are working through their right-back options for the summer, including Hale End academy graduate Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Ben White’s name had also been mentioned in connection with the Toffees, but the report makes clear that the Arsenal defender is now considered out of their financial reach.
What is an appropriate price for Arsenal to sell Ben White for?
Norton-Cuffy, for example, would likely cost around £15-£20million, suggesting that Andrea Berta is holding out for more than that, probably closer to £25million.
His £150,000 weekly wages might also be a stumbling block, which matches those of Everton’s highest paid player Jordan Pickford.
Ben White looks more likely to stay at Arsenal right now
Up to now, Everton have been the only real concrete team linked, supporting James McNicholas’ suggestion that there are no imminent developments on White’s future.
With Jurrien Timber having withdrawn from the World Cup through injury, and William Saliba potentially facing surgery post-tournament, there is plenty of reason for Mikel Arteta to keep White heading into next season regardless of outside interest.
Everton may try to drive the price down, but he is a Premier League winner with 190 appearances for Arsenal, Champions League experience, and a contract that runs until 2028 with the option of a further year. Any club hoping to sign him on the cheap is likely to be disappointed.
Arsenal themselves have been put off Tino Livramento as a potential replacement, with concerns over the Newcastle defender’s injury history compounded by his latest setback at the World Cup.
With the Gunners also monitoring Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix as potential defensive reinforcement, the situation could always change.
But right now, it looks as if White will still be an Arsenal player come the start of next season.
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