Arsenal Weigh £25m Aaron Wan-Bissaka Transfer Amid Ben White Uncertainty

Arsenal Target Wan-Bissaka in £25m Swoop

Arsenal are considering a surprise £25 million move for West Ham United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer, according to reports from Teamtalk. The Gunners face uncertainty over the future of current right-back Ben White, prompting the potential transfer.

The 27-year-old Wan-Bissaka, who joined West Ham from Manchester United in 2024, has rediscovered his form in east London. His arrival at the London Stadium was initially met with scepticism, but he has become a reliable defensive option under Julen Lopetegui. However, West Ham may be open to a sale if Arsenal meet their valuation.

Context: Ben White's Situation and Arsenal's Defence

Ben White has been Arsenal's first-choice right-back for much of the past two seasons, but his long-term role under Mikel Arteta has come into question. The England international has also been deployed at centre-half, but with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães forming a formidable partnership, his best position remains on the flank. Reports suggest White could be seeking a new challenge, or that Arsenal are preparing for a potential departure.

Arsenal's defensive record has been impressive, keeping 18 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, second only to Manchester City. However, Arteta demands depth in every position. Currently, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurriën Timber provide cover at right-back, but both have struggled with injury concerns. Wan-Bissaka would bring robust defensive reliability and Premier League experience, having made over 200 appearances in the division.

Tactically, Wan-Bissaka is known for his one-on-one defending and tackling ability, but his attacking output has been limited — he has just four goals and 12 assists in his entire top-flight career. By contrast, Arteta's system requires full-backs to push high, combine in midfield, and deliver crosses. This stylistic divergence raises questions about how Wan-Bissaka would fit into Arsenal's possession-based approach.

Transfer Market Context and FPL Impact

The £25m fee would represent a moderate outlay in today's market, particularly for a player with Premier League pedigree. For context, Arsenal paid £27m for Tomiyasu in 2021 and £32m for Zinchenko in 2022. A fee of £25m for Wan-Bissaka could be seen as reasonable value, given his age and contract situation — he has two years remaining on his current deal.

For Fantasy Premier League managers, a move to Arsenal would instantly elevate Wan-Bissaka's attractiveness. At West Ham, he is owned by only 2.4% of FPL managers, and his average points per game hovers around 4.0. Arsenal's defensive solidity and clean sheet potential could boost his points output, though his limited attacking returns would cap his ceiling. Should White leave, Wan-Bissaka would likely be a regular starter, making him a budget-friendly route into Arsenal's defence.

The potential transfer also highlights the competitive landscape in the Premier League, where top clubs are increasingly targeting proven domestic players in their prime. Wan-Bissaka would join a growing list of players who have moved between top-six sides in recent seasons, such as Ben Chilwell to Chelsea or Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal.

What This Means for Arsenal and West Ham

For Arsenal, the signing would signal intent to strengthen in defence without breaking the bank. It would also allow Arteta to rotate more effectively, especially in a season where the club aims to compete on multiple fronts after their title challenge came up short last term. The Gunners finished second, five points behind Manchester City, and are desperate to close the gap.

For West Ham, selling Wan-Bissaka would raise funds for Lopetegui's own rebuild. The Hammers have been active in the market, already securing signings like Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug, but further additions are likely. Losing Wan-Bissaka would leave a gap at right-back, though young options or a new acquisition could step in.

The deal is not yet advanced, and Arsenal may face competition from other clubs. Additionally, White's situation must be resolved first — if he stays, the need for Wan-Bissaka diminishes. Nevertheless, the report indicates Arsenal are actively exploring this option, and it could gain momentum as the window progresses.

Looking Ahead

The next weeks will be crucial in determining White's future. Arsenal's pre-season schedule includes friendlies against Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Bayer Leverkusen, where Arteta will assess his squad. If White pushes for a move, the pursuit of Wan-Bissaka is likely to intensify. For now, Arsenal fans must wait for concrete developments, but the groundwork appears to be laid for a potential surprise transfer that could reshape the right-back position at the Emirates.