Andros Townsend believes Brighton defender Ben White has everything required to ‘fit right in’ at a Premier League giant amid reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton, as he told talkSPORT (8 July, 12.15pm).
It is amazing to think that, just two years ago, many a Leeds United supporter was left scratching their heads after the club replaced cult hero Pontus Jansson with a little-known 21-year-old who had spent the previous season on loan at Peterborough United.
But, as fireworks lit up the West Yorkshire sky less than 12 months later, the Elland Road faithful were happy to bow down to Victor Orta’s judgement, with White standing out from the first minute to the last during a stellar spell under Marcelo Bielsa.
Two years on, the Poole-born centre-back is now an England international with a £50 million price-tag on his head.
Arsenal are expected to make a third bid for White sooner rather than later, according to Sky Sports, with Manchester City and Everton also expressing their interest in a classy and cultured centre-half with the passing range of a seasoned play-maker.
It is that ball-playing style which has Townsend convinced that White can be a key player for England and a club right at the top of the game.
Will Ben White choose Arsenal over Everton or Man City?
“For me, he’ll be playing for England come September – he’s that good,” said Townsend, the free-agent winger whose Crystal Palace contract expired last week.
“Brighton were one of the best teams we played against last season, they are incredible and he was at the forefront of it.
“He’s perfect for what England and the top clubs want to do and I think he’ll fit right in.”
According to talkSPORT, White is not exactly enamoured by the prospect of swapping Brighton for Everton.
It seems that he does not have the same reservations about a move to Arsenal, however, despite the fact that Mikel Arteta’s side finished just two places and two points better off than the Toffees in 2020/21.
While both clubs can probably be considered a step up from Brighton – with all due respect to one of the league’s most watchable sides – you’d think that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City would be the dream destination for a player heading to the very top.
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