Arsenal 'confident over new Ben White deal'

Arsenal reportedly expect to eventually agree terms over a new contract for Ben White.

Eyebrows were raised when the Gunners opted to pay a reported £50m to sign White from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021.

At the time, the versatile defender had just one year of Premier League football under his belt, with his reputation having also been enhanced through his appearances in the Championship for Leeds United.

However, the deal has proven to be an astute piece of business by Arsenal, White having gone on to make 87 starts and eight substitute outings in all competitions.

As many as 76 of those outings have come from the first XI in Premier League fixtures, while there have been multiple times when White has been required to deputise in different positions.

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White has been an ever-present in the top flight during 2023-24, while he has also clocked up 110 minutes during Arsenal's opening two Champions League games.

The England international has effectively established himself as one of the key members of Mikel Arteta's first-team squad, leading to the club being keen to renew his contract.

Although White has a deal until 2026, admirers may begin to emerge if Arsenal allow his terms to enter the final two years in due course.

Instead, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are confident that they will soon get a new deal for White over the line.

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Romano adds that discussions have been taking place since the back end of the summer with White receptive to signing a fresh contract as soon as possible.

Arsenal have reached a position where minimal players have less than two years remaining on their respective deals, and the next priority is to ensure that there is minimal leeway for any integral parts of the senior crop to be sold for a lower fee than their value.

Only the contractual situation of Thomas Partey leaves Arsenal in a vulnerable position, with the Ghana international's current deal expiring in 2025.

Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny both have less than a year on their deals, but Arsenal may be open to allowing their contracts to run down due to their age and place in the pecking order.