Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy believes Brighton defender Ben White will be making a step up by joining a huge club like Arsenal.

The 23-year-old centre back is expected to complete his move to the Gunners in the next few days, with Albion receiving a club-record transfer fee for his services.

White was a regular for the Seagulls last season making the joint-most appearances in the Premier League for them (36) with midfielder Yves Bissouma.

But Murphy believes White would be making a step up by joining Arsenal.

Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “If I am Ben White, I am going to Arsenal because they are the ones who are after me and it is a step up, it is a huge club.

“Yes, it is a risk in terms of will they progress from last season?

“Can Arteta improve that squad and create a better environment where they are more competitive and get in those Champions League spots?

“He has obviously met him (White) and he is wanted by the sounds of it.

“It is a huge club, where he is going to have an opportunity, he is going to play every week, it is a massive stadium and a great environment to play your football and it is a better environment than Brighton.

“If he hasn’t got clubs to compare it to, it is irrelevant comparing how competitive Arsenal are going to be.

“You can try and evaluate the season that is coming up. You might or might not win.

“But as a footballer you get presented with an opportunity where you ask, ‘Is it a progression in my career along the journey?’ and I would suggest yes it is.

“The other thing I would suggest as well is that it is easy to look at last season and think Arsenal are not going to be competitive.

“But they are not in Europe this season, it looks like they having a go, they could become competitive and get into the top four.

“They are not going to win the league but they could get in the top four spaces if they have a good season and no distractions.”

However, Murphy was shocked that another big team has not come in for White, like Manchester United, for whom he was reportedly on a list of targets, or Chelsea.

He said: “His quality and potential is really good.

“But I am surprised that a Manchester United or a Chelsea or whoever it may be has not come in.”

The reported £50 million fee that the Seagulls could get for White would exceed the accumulated total sales of players in the club’s history since it formed in 1901.

Two of the clubs the centre back was loaned to in Newport (pictured below) and Peterborough will both get a cut of the deal as White was with them before he was 21.

However, Leeds will not receive any money from the deal as he was older than 21 when he was on loan there.

Arsenal will be hoping to try and complete the deal for the England international before they fly out to Florida for their two-week pre-season training camp tomorrow.