Ben White to Barcelona. Right, let's just sit with that for a second.
The papers are reporting that Barcelona are weighing up a move for the Arsenal defender and honestly, the timing of this couldn't be more Arsenal if it tried. Just when things are starting to look a bit more stable at the Emirates, a big club comes sniffing around one of their best players. Classic. Absolutely classic.
Here is the thing though. Ben White has been genuinely brilliant for Arsenal over the last couple of seasons. The transformation from that slightly uncertain centre back to this ultra composed, ball playing right back who presses like a demon has been one of the most underrated glow ups in the Premier League. The lad chose Arsenal over the World Cup, kept his head down, and just got on with being excellent every single week. You have to respect that.
But Barcelona are Barcelona. Even the skint, financially chaotic, Laporta wheeling and dealing version of Barcelona still carries a weight that is hard to say no to. Remember what it felt like when they came for Cesc Fabregas? Arsenal fans will remember. That one still stings a little.
Now the sensible part of the brain says Mikel Arteta will fight tooth and nail to keep him. White is the kind of player that makes the whole system tick. Losing him would not just be losing a defender, it would be losing a heartbeat of the press and the build up play. There is no obvious like for like replacement sitting in anyone's squad right now.
Arsenal absolutely cannot let this turn into another saga where a player has one foot out the door for six months and the whole dressing room feels the wobble. They need to shut this down fast, tie him down with a new deal, and make it very clear he is not for sale.
Will they though. This is Arsenal. And as a wise man once said, just when they think they are out, something pulls them back in. Usually a transfer mess of their own making.
Let me know your thoughts.