BRIGHTON have rejected a £40million bid from Arsenal for defender Ben White.
The Gunners launched their ambitious offer for Graham Potter’s England star, 23, on Wednesday.
But Brighton rejected the bid after slapping White with a £50m price-tag following his Euros call-up.
However, Arsenal remain undeterred and are expected to return with an improved offer.
Mikel Arteta is planning a huge squad overhaul this summer, with David Luiz already gone and more to follow.
White enjoyed a fine campaign with Brighton, making 36 appearances as the Seagulls comfortably beat the drop by 13 points.
And Arteta sees him as the ideal replacement for Luiz at the heart of the Gunners defence.
White first caught the eye while on loan at Leeds in the 2019/20 season, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s men cruise to the Championship crown.
Brighton fought fiercely to keep White at the Amex last summer after Leeds tried making his loan stay permanent.
But with Arsenal now launching an eye-watering initial offer, White’s days on the south coast could be numbered.
The Gunners are not the only club interested either.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all known to be big fans of White, who made his England debut earlier this month in the 1-0 friendly win against Austria.
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