Chelsea have made contact with Brighton defender Ben White regarding a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to reports.

Arsenal have already seen a bid of around £40million turned down by Brighton for White. Everton and Manchester City are also linked with the England international.

The English defender has attracted a lot of interest from London rivals Arsenal recently, but it now seems like the Blues are about the enter the fray in this transfer race.

This is according to Duncan Castles who has been talking on the Transfer Window podcast.

He has said that Chelsea have made their interest known to the player.

Castles says the Blues are set to provide “significant competition” to the Gunners for White’s signature.

“We’ve told you there’s been interest and a conversation with Manchester City,” Castles said.

“I now understand that Chelsea have notified the player of their interest in signing him.

“I think that’s significant competition for Arsenal because Chelsea obviously can offer Champions League football, can offer a club based in London in the same way that Arsenal can, but one that should be immediately competitive for the Premier League title, and one that hasn’t had much hesitation about spending aggressively of Ben White’s profile and age range.

“I think on previous podcasts we suggested that once serious offers started to come in for White, it is likely that other clubs would get involved in a competitive bidding process.

“And I think a competitive bidding process is obviously going to be of benefit to Brighton.”