Arsenal bid £40m for Premier League defender, Smith Rowe bid rejected
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 16 Jun 2021 17:15 BST
Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market this week as they have had a £40 million bid for Brighton's Ben White rejected, while they themselves have knocked back an Aston Villa bid for Emile Smith Rowe.
White has emerged as one of the most impressive up-and-coming defenders in the Premier League and was vital in Leeds earning promotion to the top-flight before becoming a mainstay for Brighton in 2020/21.
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He missed just two matches in the Premier League last season as the Seagulls finished 16th and successfully avoided relegation.
White won the majority of his tackles but only won 50% of his aerial duels and ground duels.
His reading of the game was his most impressive asset as he completed 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 minutes as well as 1.8 interceptions.
The bid of £40m was submitted to Brighton this week but they have swiftly rejected the offer.
- Very much in the mould of a modern centre-back, he averaged 48.5 passes per game and 60.3 touches.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add another defender to his ranks this summer after David Luiz's departure and William Saliba's future looking uncertain.
The bid of £40m was submitted to Brighton this week but they have swiftly rejected the offer.
Arsenal are reportedly going to increase their offer for White, who is currently on international duty with England after being called up to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at the European Championship.
Smith Rowe to Aston Villa?
In terms of outgoings, Arsenal have received a bid from Aston Villa for Emile Smith Rowe believed to be around £25m.
It is certainly an audacious bid for one of Arsenal's most promising stars, but it appears the dialogue between the two clubs is over on this one as the Gunners are not entertaining any bids for Smith Rowe at the moment.
In fact, one of their priorities this summer is believed to be the agreement of a new deal for the 20-year-old, whose current contract runs out in two years.
There is also a bit of bad blood between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the moment after the outfit from Birmingham gazumped the former to the signing of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich for £33m.
Arsenal had been tracking the Argentine for over a year, but didn't act fast enough on the deal which allowed Villa to swoop in.
