Romano reveals Arsenal's priority ahead of January
Tom Weber
- Updated: 14 Oct 2023 15:40 BST
- 4 min read
Tying Ben White down to a new contract is Arsenal's main priority now, according to Fabrizio Romano.
After giving Mikel Arteta the funds to build a team that can challenge Manchester City for the Premier League, Arsenal are intent on keeping this squad together for as long as possible. Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and most recently captain Martin Odegaard are just some of the stars that have penned new deals in the past months.
Now, Ben White is next in line to be rewarded with a fresh contract. The former Leeds and Brighton man is the undisputed number one at right back for Arteta these days and this is bound to stay that way. FootballTransfers has learnt that the Spaniard is seeking to emulate Pep Guardiola by eventually switching to a system with four centre-backs once Jurrien Timber returns from his ACL injury to feature at left-back.
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal boss Arteta set to copy Guardiola with formation as Timber gets injury boost
Due to Takehiro Tomiyasu's constant fitness problems, the England international has become the starting option on the right despite Arteta initially seeing him as ideal centre-back cover for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Given his renewed importance in Arteta's system, the Gunners are keen to secure his long-term future, according to Fabrizio Romano.
White to sign new deal
Speaking to CaughtOffside, the transfer expert said: "Arsenal always go player by player in contract negotiations and Ben White is the priority now."
"As you know," the Italian continued, "I never mention salaries, and there are no other details available about a deal at this stage. For sure it’d be a long-term deal but the final length has not been decided yet."
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Arsenal signed White for a whopping €58.5 million in 2021 and his current contract runs until 2026. To date, the 26-year-old has made 95 appearances for the Gunners, scoring three goals and notching five assists.
