By Wayne Veysey

31st Oct, 2023 | 11:38am

Sources: Arsenal close to agreeing Ben White deal as talks advance

Arsenal are making progress on securing Ben White to a new and improved contract with the club, sources have told Football Insider.

Talks are well underway and both parties are keen to secure an agreement which would keep the 26-year-old at the Emirates Stadium long-term.

Arsenal have already recently tied down a host of first-team stars – including Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba – and a new deal for White is next on the agenda for the club’s hierarchy.

Should an agreement be secured, his renewal is expected to be finalised in the coming months as Mikel Arteta’s side prepare to mount another Premier League title challenge.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Arteta is a “huge admirer” of White and sees him as a key first-team player for the coming years.

The ex-Brighton defender cost a reported £50million in 2021 and is currently out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in June 2026.

He originally joined the club as a centre-back but shone in a right-back role for Arteta’s side as they pushed Man City close for the title last season.

The England international, who earns a reported current wage of £120,000-a-week, has continued in that role in the new campaign.

He has started every Premier League game amid 15 total appearances across all competitions, scoring once.

White has made 98 appearances for Arsenal and is likely to reach a landmark century in November.

The 26-year-old last played for England in March 2022 despite his dazzling form for the Gunners in the Premier League.

He was included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad last year but returned home after two group games for personal reasons.

In other news, Arsenal could sell 25-year-old next summer in surprise U-turn.