---
title: "Exclusive: Roberts urges Spurs to target Skriniar instead of White"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-roberts-urges-spurs-to-target-skriniar-instead-of-white-e151/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-06T05:00:07Z"
modified: "2021-07-06T05:00:07Z"
---

# Exclusive: Roberts urges Spurs to target Skriniar instead of White

**Graham Roberts would rather see Tottenham Hotspur beef up their defence by signing Milan Skriniar than paying £50million for Ben White, a [reported](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-liverpool-man-utd-white-24285092) target.\**

Spurs are looking for defensive reinforcements after an underwhelming campaign which saw them finish seventh in the Premier League standings and make do with sealing a place in the Europa Conference League instead of meeting their pre-season target of returning to the UEFA Champions League.

[Nuno Espirito Santo](https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/june/nuno-espirito-santo-appointed-new-head-coach/) was appointed as Jose Mourinho’s eventual successor last week, having seen Ryan Mason take interim charge following the Portuguese’s [sacking](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56799400) in April, and one of his priorities is improving Spurs’ defensive record.

\[freshpress-poll id=”364683″\]

White, who notched [39 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-white/leistungsdaten/spieler/335721/plus/0?saison=2020) for Brighton & Hove Albion last season, is in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020 and made his international debut in the pre-tournament friendly win over Austria last month.

Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the 23-year-old, with the Gunners seeing [two bids](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12349144/arsenal-to-make-third-bid-for-ben-white-as-deals-for-nuno-tavares-and-albert-lokonga-edge-closer) knocked back by Brighton, who could cost [£50m](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/24/arsenal-confident-of-signing-brightons-ben-white-in-deal-worth-up-to-50m).

But Spurs legend Roberts feels Slovakia international defender Skriniar, who starred as Inter won the Serie A title last term, should be at the forefront of Nuno’s mind instead of White.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”351006″\]

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Roberts said: *“Why would you pay £50million for a youngster who has had one season in the Premier League when you can go and get Skriniar for £45million?*

*“Skriniar has played in the top league in Italy and Europe. He’s in the Slovakia team as well. I don’t get going for White over Skriniar.”*