Arsenal splashed the cash to sign defender Ben White this summer – and AC Milan think they got a much better deal with Fikayo Tomori.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Milan chiefs are ‘very happy’ with their £26million deal for Tomori compared to Arsenal’s move for White.
Those Milan chiefs include Chief Executive and former Arsenal man Ivan Gazidis, Technical Director and Milan legend Paolo Maldini, and Sporting Director Frederic Massara.
Arsenal spent £50million on White, yet Milan believe that Tomori ultimately as a ‘similar talent ceiling’ to White at £24million cheaper.
That’s not to say that Arsenal should have gone for Tomori; Chelsea are unlikely to have given him to a London rival for that price.
Yet this does show parallels between the two players and bring the huge difference in valuation under the microscope.
Both players are 23, with White just two months older than Tomori.
Both had loan spells in the Football League to learn their craft; White with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United, Tomori with Brighton and Hove Albion, Hull City and Derby County.
Both have broken into the England setup, with White having two caps and Tomori just one.
Neither are particularly tall for the position. White is just 6ft and had trouble with Ivan Toney on his Arsenal debut, whilst Tomori is just an inch taller.
When it comes to top-flight games, White played 36 times for Brighton last season. Combining his time at Chelsea and Milan, Tomori had 34 top-flight league games before completing a permanent move this summer.
The two are very similar in terms of their profile, and yet Arsenal paid almost twice as much for White.
The duo may end up playing for England together over the coming years, but Milan’s belief that they have a much better deal may lead to them being compared to each other down the line.
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