He needs to be master of his position: Sol Campbell says Arsenal target Ben White is one for future

‘He needs to be master of his position’: Sol Campbell says Arsenal target Ben White is ‘one for the future’ and questions wisdom of splashing £50m on 23-year-old Brighton defender

  • Sol Campbell thinks Arsenal could be paying too much for Ben White
  • White is expected to have a medical this week ahead of a £50m move
  • The defender made England’s Euro 2020 squad but did not get any game time
  • ‘He needs to work out because Arsenal aren’t in a position to shift £50m’, he said

Sol Campbell believes Arsenal are making a gamble on spending £50million on Brighton defender Ben White.

White is due to have a medical at Arsenal on Wednesday after agreeing personal terms but former Gunners’ defender Campbell is concerned the club could be paying over the odds for the 23-year-old.

‘He needs to have a situation where at £50m he needs to be a master of his position and that’s what he has to be,’ Campbell told Talksport.  

Ben White is set to have a medical with Arsenal this week ahead of a £50m move from Brighton

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell thinks the club are taking a risk with such a high fee

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell thinks the club are taking a risk with such a high fee

‘He needs to work out because Arsenal are not in a position to shift out £50million for a player. He’ll definitely have to start if it does happen and the medical is all good and get going.’

White was one of Brighton’s most consistent performers last season and made 36 Premier League starts, missing just two games.

He also had an excellent season on loan at Leeds United the previous year, playing every single game as Marcelo Bielsa’s side won promotion.

White’s progress led to him being included in the England squad for Euro 2020 although he did not play a single minute in Gareth Southgate’s side’s run to the final.

'He's 23-years-old, definitely one for the future,' Campbell said of the England international

‘He’s 23-years-old, definitely one for the future,’ Campbell said of the England international

But Campbell, who made one of the most controversial switches in Premier League history when he joined Arsenal from Tottenham on a free transfer after running down his contract, is worried White could still be a work in progress. 

‘He’s played 36 games for Brighton. Is it one for the future? He’s 23-years-old, definitely one for the future,’ Campbell added.

‘I don’t think you can know too much about someone. In the sense that age wise, you know.

‘It’s a difficult one, it’s a lot of money but in the years ahead, they see a future. They see someone who can come in and play midfielder, full-back.’ 

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