Arsenal have reportedly found an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion for the transfer of Ben White, the player has agreed a five-year deal and a date for his medical has been scheduled. Earlier this week it was reported that a deal between Arsenal and Brighton was getting closer. Now, all reports claim that the Gunners have seen off last-minute interest from Chelsea to secure the deal and the Mail report his medical will take place on 26 July. Arsenal had previous bids of £40m and £427m turned down for the defender, who was said to be keen to join the club. Arsenal have now offered the full £50m and Ben White will become an Arsenal player.

White is expected to undergo his Arsenal medical when he returns from holiday following his involvement in England’s Euro 2020 squad. The £50m fee will make White Arsenal’s third most expensive signing ever after Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. White emerged as manager Mikel Arteta’s primary target to operate as a right-sided centre-back and it is set to constitute a record outlay by Arsenal for a defender. There was interest in White from other suitors but most of them were under the impression that he was joining Arsenal and no rival offers are believed to have been received by Brighton so far.

White was away with England during their European Championship campaign but after featuring in warm-up matches against Austria and Romania, he did not make an appearance as England lost to Italy in the final. He is currently on holiday ahead of pre-season. Released from Southampton in 2014, White was signed by Brighton and following temporary spells at Newport County, Peterborough United and most notably Leeds United, he broke into the first team at the Amex Stadium last season and was one of the top-flight’s stand-out performers.