By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

4th Dec, 2023 | 9:00pm

Ben White: Arsenal star close to agreeing deal - sources

Arsenal are close to agreeing a bumper new contract with defender Ben White, sources have told Football Insider.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that a new deal for the 26-year-old is now “all but done” and will be announced soon.

The £50million star is now set to join the bracket of top earners at the Emirates Stadium just over two years after signing from Brighton.

White’s current contract, which nets him a reported current wage of £120,000-a-week, is set to expire in June 2026.

He is a key component of Mikel Arteta’s side and was a regular starter last season as Arsenal challenged Man City for the Premier League title.

The England international originally joined the club as a centre-back but has been moulded into a right-back by Arteta.

White has made 20 appearances this season across all competitions, scoring one goal.

He missed the win over Burnley last month through injury but returned to action with a one-minute substitute cameo against Brentford last week before playing 45 minutes off the bench in the 6-0 win over Lens in midweek (29 December).

White has racked up 103 total games for Arsenal since he arrived in 2021, notching three goals and five assists.

He has made four appearances for England but last played for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions in March 2022.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (1 December) that Arsenal are in advanced talks with defender Takehiro Tomiyasu over a new contract amid interest from German giants Bayern Munich.

Tomiyasu, who is one of White’s understudies at right-back, remains happy at the Emirates Stadium and could follow in his footsteps by putting pen to paper.

In other news, Arsenal now willing to let 31-year-old go.