Pranav Nair
Manchester United to face increased competition for Ben White
According to Defensa Central (h/t The Express), Manchester United will face increased competition for the signature of Brighton and Hove Albion star Ben White.
Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid are the latest clubs to enter the fray for the 23-year-old. They will battle the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and United, who are all keeping tabs on the player.
White was amongst the bright spots in what was eventually a disappointing season for the Seagulls in 2020/21. He was rewarded for his performances with a late call-up to the England squad for the Euros, replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Despite him garnering much attention, it is Arsenal who have drawn first blood in their pursuit of the player. The Gunners made an opening bid of £40m that was rejected by Brighton.
The Seagulls have slapped an asking price of £50million for their star man. Arsenal continue to be in negotiations for the player and could return with a second bid in the coming weeks.
Perhaps of all the teams in the fray, it is Real Marid whose interest is the most curious. The Spaniards have released Sergio Ramos and could also lose out on his defensive partner Raphael Varane.
Carlo Ancelotti will have gotten a first-hand account of the player’s potential having managed in the Premier League last season. Real are also keeping tabs on Pau Torres and Jules Kounde, two players also on United’s radar.
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While White is talented, he is still miles away from establishing himself as a top-level centre-back. He could do with a couple more years of development before even thinking of moving abroad. If anything he will do well to avoid walking in Jonathan Woodgate’s footsteps, making an ill-advised move to the Bernabeu.
