Everton need a new right-back, and there’s been surprise this week after Ben White was linked.
Fans are hoping to see some transfer activity from the Toffees soon, with the club still in contention for European football come the end of the season.
Despite a bad week last week, Everton are still in a good position.
So there has been clamour for The Friedkin Group to show some ambition, to help get Everton into Europe at the first time of asking.
A solid new right-back option would certainly be welcomed by Evertonians this month, and there have been several links so far.
But one that’s come fairly out of the blue is Ben White. And it seems we may not be getting many more of them.
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How Arsenal feel about Ben White amid Everton interest
White has been limited to just 13 appearances this season due to injury.
He featured for the Gunners at the weekend in their game against Portsmouth in the FA Cup, and will now hope to try and build some momentum.
And it seems Arsenal are also keen for that to happen.
Football.london have published an article about White and the claims that Everton may look to make a move this month.
Thoughts on potentially signing Ben White? 🤔
And they make it clear that Arsenal’s stance is that they have ‘zero interest’ in offloading White this month.
They suggest that Arsenal want to continue their momentum and that weakening the squad is simply not an option, as they fight on four fronts.
Football.london also cast doubt on whether Everton would have the kind of money required to sign White, arguing that the defender cost £50 million back in 2021 and has not regressed. He’s also on a contract until 2028.
White move never realistic for Everton, but one to revisit this summer
Everton moving for White this month would definitely have raised some eyebrows.
He is a great defender who would undoubtedly improve Everton’s backline. Indeed, Everton News readers had backed a move for White via our TalkingPoints feed.
But this report from football.london was to be expected. There was just no way Arsenal were going to consider letting him depart.
They’re still fighting for four trophies and could well end up having a special season. When you’re in the position that they are, you don’t go offloading players, even if they currently aren’t starting regularly.
But Everton should keep tabs on White heading into the summer.
If he doesn’t feature as much as he’d like to in the second half of the season, then he may seek to leave.
And with the likes of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane ageing, the Toffees will be looking at new centre-back options. White, of course, was previously a centre-back by trade and can still play there.
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