Arsenal submit 4 bids with midfielder and defender arrivals close

Arsenal Prepare Second Bid for Ben White

Having been linked with the Brighton defender in surprising circumstances, the interest Arsenal have shown in White turned out to be 100% true and the developments since have progressed at a rapid rate.

Lodging a bid of £40m for the England international on Wednesday, another improved offer is due shortly as Arteta and Edu look to wrap up their central defensive worries early this window.

Listed as one of the two deals the club are ‘closest’ to, how much the second offer will be isn’t known but Arsenal are confident of wrapping White’s signing up quickly so as to stave off other interested suitors, of which there are many.

The reason for the Gunners bidding so early is to grab a foothold in the race. By taking the first steps they’ve both worked to sway the player – who is keen on moving to north London – and demonstrate to Brighton that they mean business, who would like any deal done early in time for them to sound out a replacement.

Few saw this coming.

Jules Kounde was a major target for the club, who at £50m was deemed well out of their price range and considering the wealth of interest from clubs with Champions League football next season, also somewhat pointless. Switching attentions to Premier League experienced options, White fits the profile and age bracket while also suiting the homegrown quota – and that appears to be a growing desire among the club hierarchy.

As seen with the heightened interest in James Maddison, if Arsenal can bring homegrown players early it prevents them from scrambling around late in the window to source those they need to supplement the large amount of expected exits of academy stars.

It’s all a go-go in north London.