Sol Campbell says incoming Arsenal signing Ben White is ‘clearly a top player’ but has also questioned whether he is a ‘master of his position’ and says the Gunners should be bringing in another centre-back as well.
The 23-year-old is set to move to the Emirates from Brighton for a whopping £50m, with the deal to be confirmed this week when he has completed a medical.
The England international has just one season of Premier League experience under his belt, playing 36 times for Brighton in the top flight last season, meaning he represents something of a gamble for the Gunners.
Campbell, who won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, says that his huge price tag will bring pressure and feels a £50m fee should make him one of the finest in a position, rather than bring something of a utility player, which White is known as.
‘It needs to work out because Arsenal are not in the position to shift out £50m for a player. He’ll definitely have to start,’ Campbell told talkSPORT.
‘If it does happen and the medical is all good, he’ll have to hit the ground running. It’s a difficult one, it’s a lot of money.
‘They’re looking at the years ahead and they see a future. He can play in midfield or as a full-back. At £50m, you’ve got to be the master of your position.’
The 46-year-old former Arsenal and Tottenham man admits that he has actually not seen White play much, but can see that he does not have a vast amount of experience.
As Arsenal snap up White, Manchester United are bringing in Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, a man who has won the World Cup and multiple Champions Leagues and La Liga titles.
Campbell wants to see the Gunners bring in the likes of White and someone like Varane.
‘Forget about the price tag it is all about experience and whether he is going to command,’ continued the former England defender.
‘I obviously don’t know much about him, but he got into the England’s Euros squad and is clearly a top player.
‘For me hopefully it does work out, but if you want that instant success and you want to build a team, you bring in Ben White, but you also bring in someone like Raphael Varane – you bring both of them in!’
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