Manchester City hold preliminary talks with Brighton’s breakout star
According to The Transfer Window podcast, as relayed by The Daily Express, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White.
Ben White, 23, is a top summer target of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as he wants the Brighton man to reinforce his backline. He is an up-and-coming young English centre-back whose performances with Graham Potter’s Brighton haven’t gone unnoticed.
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The Gunners made a bid of £50m for the Seagulls centre-back last month and while there was optimism that a deal could be struck, they might have to wait until after Euro 2020 to proceed further, the report claim.
Manchester City’s entry for the English centre-half could be a cause of concern for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola looking to bolster his squad during the summer transfer window.
The report adds Manchester City have held preliminary talks with Ben White after he emerged as a transfer target of Pep Guardiola. However, any deal will depend on whether or not Aymeric Laporte leaves in the summer.
It is believed that Aymeric Laporte is unhappy over his role after being shut out from the starting XI by last season’s outstanding centre-back partnership between Ruben Dias and John Stones. This limited him to only 14 Premier League starts, leaving the left-footed centre-back frustrated.
In recent weeks, there have been strong links to a return back to Spain, with Barcelona known to be admirers of the Spanish international. However, the finances involved in signing Laporte this summer could be a major hurdle for Barcelona.
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As things stand, any deal for White is likely to only happen after Laporte’s sale. White can fill the space in the Manchester City squad potentially created by the Spanish international’s exit, whilst competing with the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake for a place in Guardiola’s starting XI.
All in all, it would be a great move if Manchester City scoops the Brighton starlet under the noses of Arsenal.