Arsenal are the latest club to enter the transfer race for Ben White this summer...

What's the word?

According to The Mirror, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has become a big admirer of the Brighton and England centre-back, but he's set to face stern competition from several Premier League rivals, including Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester United.

It's claimed that Arsenal are keen to bolster their squad in the transfer window and that funds will be made available to the 39-year-old to target key areas of improvement, in which their backline is a clear priority following the exit of David Luiz.

The Daily Mail believe the Seagulls defender's asking price is in the region of £50m.

Shades of Tony Adams

In White, technical director Edu Gaspar could seal the Gunners their next Tony Adams - an English powerhouse fit to lead the side out from the back.

The 23-year-old centre-back has caught the eye of Premier League scouts over the past two seasons, having first impressed during a loan spell at 2020 Championship winners Leeds United before continuing that form back at parent club Brighton in the top flight last term.

He can play anywhere along the backline and even in midfield due to his composure on the ball, something which has seen him rated as the second-best ball-playing defender under Graham Potter, having averaged a passing accuracy of 83.2% throughout the 2020/21 season.

An average of 1.4 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 1.4 aerial duels won per game, via WhoScored, suggests that he's a well-rounded centre-back who could draw further comparisons to Adams in his heyday.

"He’s so calm, nothing fazes Ben," claimed Seagulls academy coach John Morling when speaking to The Athletic. "Any hurdles, he just jumps over. He just looks like he’s been there for years."

He later added: "He’s a winner. You’d want him in your team."

It's no wonder he's also been lauded as a "special talent" and "a warrior" too.

A fee of £50m may seem steep but there's always a premium to pay when it comes to emerging English stars. You only have to look at the likes of Harry Maguire (£80m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£50m) in recent windows to see that.

If Arteta wants White, then Edu must do all in his power to secure him this summer. The Gunners could well get an Adams-like presence at the back at long last if they snap up the Brighton defender.

AND in other news, Forget Buendia: Arsenal must swoop for £31.5m-rated "leader", won't cost KSE a penny...