Arteta eyes Barcelona move as key man ‘tempted’ after ‘formal offer’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has “offered” disgraced defender Ben White to Barcelona, ​​according to reports in Spain.

White cost Arsenal £50 million in 2021 and instantly became a fan favourite, playing as a centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in his first season.

He moved to right-back and has excelled in 2022/23, barely missing a game. the Gunners finished second in the Premier League.

Jurrien Timber has been Arsenal’s starting right-back since the start of the 2024/25 season, with White largely restricted to appearances in cup competitions.

Before that, White was arguably one of the club’s most reliable players, rarely injured and remarkably consistent.

He has struggled with injuries since Timber and Riccardo Calafiori established themselves as Arteta’s starting full-backs, although he has been an unused substitute far more often than unavailable this campaign.

That said, minor injuries hampered him and potentially cost him minutes against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as natural center back Cristhian Mosquera replaced Timber in the 57th minute.

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His lack of minutes over the last season and a half could allow Arsenal to cash in late in the season.

According to the Spanish site SheetsArsenal boss Arteta has “officially offered” White to Barcelona, ​​who are ready to “poach” the 28-year-old.

With Jules Kounde struggling to find his form, Hansi Flick could take the opportunity to recruit White, who is similar to the Frenchman in that he can play at both right-back and center-back.

Barcelona will ‘look closely’ at the opportunity, with Arsenal reportedly ‘willing’ to sell the England international as he is no longer a regular starter.

White is highly regarded by the La Liga champions, who value his “versatility, ball distribution and defensive anticipation”.

Barcelona view White’s valuation of €30m (£26.2m) as “reasonable”, and the former Brighton defender would be “tempted” by the prospect, the report adds.

A summer transfer is possible, with Arteta described as the ‘main advocate’ of the deal after putting his ‘name on the table’ during talks with Barca.

Sheets also claims that Barcelona will have 110 million euros to spend in the summer transfer window.

This figure would have been promised by presidential candidate Marc Ciria, even if Joan Laporta remains the favorite to stay in power.

Another player the website has linked to Barcelona is Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup.

The report states:

The Norwegian’s performance did not go unnoticed in the FC Barcelona offices. Deco, responsible for sports planning, is closely monitoring his progress.

Barcelona are looking for young players with room for growth and the ability to make a difference in the final third. Schjelderup fits this profile perfectly: pace, creativity and talent for scoring from the wing.

It is not a simple operation. Benfica usually trades from a position of strength and the player’s market value has increased significantly in recent months.

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