Arsenal are set to make major moves in the transfer market this week, with a third bid for Brighton’s Ben White set to act as the catalyst for a trio of arrivals.
That is according to Sky Sports, who on Monday afternoon reported that Arsenal are in continued talks with Brighton in the hope they can reach a deal, after failing with two initial bids. It appears Brighton are hoping a bidding war will ignite, with Everton linked in the past. That doesn’t appear to have happened yet, but Arsenal will want to get the deal done as soon as possible, without overpaying.
Arsenal are unlikely to want to move above £50million for 23-year-old White. Sky Sports go on to say that Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares is set to be Arsenal’s first arrival with the defender currently in isolation following his flight to England. Arsenal have agreed to a fee in the region of £8million for Tavares, who will come in and act as a backup to Kieran Tierney.
Tavaras, who can also play on the left-wing or as a right-back, is said to have already had his Arsenal medical.
They also report that Arsenal have agreed to a deal in principle to sign promising 21-year-old Anderlecht midfielder, Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgian midfielder will join for a fee of around £17million, with the structure of payments now the only negotiating point between the two clubs.
Arsenal will want to tie up this trio of deals, likely to cost them around £75million, before turning their attention to other areas.
The club have plenty to do this summer and are likely to be shifting lots of players out the door, as well as signing more. Another central midfielder, right back and goalkeeper could join in this window. There’s also a possibility a new forward arrives if the Gunners sell both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, with the duo up for sale.