‘Interesting’: Arsenal could move to sign £70m star, after Tottenham reportedly have bid accepted – journalist

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Ian McGarry has suggested on the Transfer Window Podcast that Jules Kounde may now be an option for Arsenal, as their bid for Ben White has stalled.

From White to Kounde?

Arsenal have consistently been talked up as the most likely buyers of White.

However, McGarry claims that Brighton are yet to really enter advanced negotiations over selling the central defender.

Indeed, the journalist says that Arsenal are now beginning to look at other options.

And both them and Chelsea – who have been keen on White – are now looking at landing Kounde from Sevilla.

“An interesting development has been that Brighton have so far not entered into any serious discussions regarding White’s future,” he said.

“They have named a price and that is a basic £50 million fee, plus add-ons and potentially a sell on fee as well.

“This has led to Jules Kounde of Sevilla being in the mix with both clubs – both London clubs [Arsenal and Chelsea] – someone who is clearly a prospect and also who is flexible, he is not just a centre-back, he can play at right-back as well.

“I wonder if this will become a bargaining chip against Brighton in terms of the sale of White, or could it be the case that Kounde could well become a player for one of those clubs, making White the only option for the other.
It’s a strange see-saw development.”

Kounde is actually a defender in a similar mould to White. He is also valued at around the same figure.

He would, therefore, be an expensive signing if Arsenal were to land him.

The 22-year-old, who is valued at £70 million (La Colina Denervion) does possess more speed than White and is also comfortable on the ball, just like his Brighton counterpart.

However, he has no experience of Premier League football under his belt.

That could make him a more risky signing for Arsenal, especially as whatever central defender they try and sign appears to be set to step straight into their starting line-up.

Be quick

If Arsenal are to sign Kounde they may also have to move quickly.

Gianluca Di Marzio says that Tottenham Hotspur have now agreed a deal with Sevilla for the defender, which includes Davinson Sanchez going the other way.