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News
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Arsenal risk making €34m Ben White mistake as three replacements identified
Tom Weber
- Updated: 28 Feb 2026 13:31 GMT
- 5 min read
Analysis
Arsenal have identified three potential replacements for Ben White, who is facing an uncertain future at the club.
The former England international has lost his place to Jurrien Timber and is finding regular minutes, particularly in the Premier League, increasingly hard to come by.
Prior to missing the North London Derby with a knock, White had been an unused substitute in six of Arsenal's previous eight fixtures in the league, illustrating his massively reduced role.
Current ETV
Ben White
D (R)
Arsenal
Ben White
D (R)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€38.2M - €46.6M
Already in January, rumours surfaced that White could depart. However, it was clear at the time that the Gunners would not sanction the departure of a valuable first-teamer as they chase a potential quadruple.
In the summer, though, it will be a different story. Reports abound that White is on his way out, and CaughtOffside confirms that the 28-year-old has no shortage of suitors.
Arsenal risk making White mistake
Arsenal would be ready to sanction his exit if they could get their hands on a suitable replacement. At present, three names are on Andrea Berta's shortlist: Ivan Fresneda (Sporting CP), Michael Kayode (Brentford) and Tino Livramento (Newcastle).
Arsenal's admiration of these players predates Berta's arrival at the Emirates, and all three certainly have their merits. There is also nothing wrong with White wanting to leave in pursuit of regular football. After all, he is in his prime and needs to play.
However, the fee that is currently being touted is a head-scratcher. It is claimed that Arsenal would be ready to sell White for just €34 million. This would make him a bargain for any potential buyer.
White's current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €42.4m, so Arsenal could easily demand a higher fee. Given that they have been fairly poor sellers, they should demand a higher fee.
The Athletic previously reported that Arsenal could be forced to make some big sales next summer to avoid breaching UEFA's Squad Cost Ratio rules, but football finance expert Kieran Maguire disputes this.
Speaking to Standard Sport after Arsenal's financial report for 2024/25 was released earlier this week, Maguire said: "Arsenal have no qualms whatsoever when it comes to compliance with either UEFA's Financial Fair Play or Squad Cost Ratio rules, or the current and the future Premier League rules.
"That's because their wages-to-revenue ratio is one of the lowest in the Premier League. All in all, a very strong position. Yes, they've got a bit of debt, but other than that, I see no problems whatsoever."
Still, considering that Arsenal had the largest net spend in world football last summer and that they have been handing out bumper new contracts to various players, they would be well advised to try to get the most value from their player sales.
If he hadn't made the personal decision to make himself unavailable for England, White would be a regular international. He is in his prime and will still have two years left on his contract this summer. Selling him for just over €30m in a world where even average Premier League players fetch €40m-€50m would be a mistake.
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