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Arsenal: 3 Premier League Ben White transfer alternatives

By Krish Ajmani

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Ben White of Brighton & Hove Albion makes a point during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Ben White of Brighton & Hove Albion makes a point during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Ben White
Arsenal: 3 Premier League Ben White transfer alternatives given huge £50m fee and Manchester City and Everton interest in defender. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

To say that the shopping list of positions Arsenal either need to reinforce or replace entirely is long would be a woeful understatement: right-back, center back, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, goalkeeper and striker(?) are all spots on the team sheet that need to be recruited.

Given the brilliant move of scrapping nearly the entire scouting department (who needs those guys in football anyway, right?), finding bargain deals has become a bit more difficult.

Arsenal’s interest in Ben White is as far from a bargain as you can get. Having played a full season of games in the Premier League, White has been quietly solid for Brighton. Yet £50m is an extreme valuation.

While he’s very good, he’s not that good. His price is inflated due to his contract situation, age, and the fact that he is English and fits the homegrown quota. The famous ‘tax’.

Arsenal: 3 Premier League Ben White transfer alternatives given huge £50m fee and Manchester City and Everton interest in defender

Regardless of how much the owners plan to back the club this window, there are cheaper alternatives to be found. Here are three other options plying their trade in the Premier League who could be smart summer moves, especially if another party were to swoop in and blow Arsenal out of the water.

Arsenal, Michael Keane
Everton’s English defender Michael Keane warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Everton. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Michael Keane – Everton

At the start of this list is an admittedly uninspiring signing. Michael Keane seems to have been around forever, but is somehow still only 28. He has played 182 times in England’s top flight and would provide an experienced option at the back.

Keane is, however, not a player that excites fans like a Jules Kounde or say a William Saliba.

His role would be well defined, though. He would come in to provide an alternative to Rob Holding, he would add depth and know-how and even help Saliba acclimatise to the Premier League should we see the Frenchman next season and no loan materialise.

Additionally, Keane would provide a homegrown option to Mikel Arteta’s side, increasing his utility to the squad. Will Keane elevate Arsenal and raise them to the level required to challenge for the top four? Certainly not.

Although his quality is quite limited, he would provide much-needed leadership to a fairly young Arsenal backline. It’d be a signing that would help Saliba, not replace him.

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