Arsenal in talks with Ben White over new contract despite having three years left on current £120,000 deal… with the versatile defender, 25, a key part of Mikel Arteta’s squad

• Arsenal want to secure the long-term future of defender Ben White
• Full back, who started the season at centre-back, will net a significant pay rise
• The 25-year-old’s versatility is viewed as crucial to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta 

Arsenal have opened formal talks with Ben White over a new contract with growing confidence they can reach a swift agreement.

White has become a the key players under Mikel Arteta, with his consistency viewed as a crucial component of the team’s set-up.

Mail Sport reported last month that the club were preparing to start discussions over fresh terms for the White – and it can be revealed that those talks are now underway.

White still has three years to run on his existing deal but Arsenal want to conclude talks over an improved deal as quickly as possible in an effort to secure the future of their key defender.

The full-back, who started the season at centre-back, currently earns in the region of £120,000-per-week but will net a significant pay increase.

Arsenal have opened formal talks with defender Ben White over a new contract

Arsenal want to secure the long-term future of their key defender as quickly as possible

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The 25-year-old’s versatility is viewed as crucial to Arteta, who feels White’s performances are consistently good regardless of which position he plays in and believes he deserves to be rewarded.

And there is an emerging sense at the Emirates that their move to sign White to fresh terms is heading towards a successful conclusion.

Having successfully signed Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba to new deals in 2023 – White is now set to become the latest to commit his future to Arsenal.

Having joined from Brighton in 2021, White is fully settled in north London and is prioritising staying at the club.

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