With a new manager in place at Everton, pre-season training underway and the summer’s major tournaments done and dusted, the Toffees can finally start making some inroads in the transfer market.
At the moment, Rafa Benitez is yet to conclude any meaningful business so he needs to get his skates on.
What’s the word?
One player Everton have considered a move for this summer is Ben White.
The Brighton defender was part of the England squad for the European Championships but Gareth Southgate didn’t reward him with any minutes.
White has attracted the interest of Arsenal with the Gunners still the frontrunners to sign him.
Everton entered the race a few weeks ago and were willing to put £55m on the table in various instalments.
Ian McGarry of the Transfer Window podcast issued an update on the 23-year-old’s situation this week. He commented (via the Sport Review):
“We’ve been discussing for several podcasts the future of Ben White with regards to a potential move to Arsenal.
“We’ve also reported exclusively that there is interest from Chelsea and Everton, who are playing a waiting game to see if Arsenal realise the valuation that Brighton feel is correct for their 23-year-old centre-back and then perhaps will try and gazump Arsenal by offering more money.”
Supporters should be delighted
If the idea of signing White doesn’t generate excitement among supporters then beating one of the Premier League’s big six to a player would surely thrill the Goodison Park faithful.
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This is a huge season for Everton and as always, the goal is to secure European football.
With a vastly experienced coach in Benitez at the helm, there are reasons to believe they could get close but the arrival of White would only help them in their assignment.
The centre-back only has a year of Premier League experience under his belt but he looks set for an incredibly vibrant future right at the top of the game.
White developed tremendously well at Leeds United during a loan spell in the Championship throughout 2019/20, being named in the second tier's Team of the Season. Since then, he's taken to the top-flight like a duck to water.
He completed over 83% of his passes, proving he has the ability to transition play and won an impressive 1.7 interceptions per match.
Everton’s defence struggled towards the back end of the season, eventually shipping five to Manchester City on the final day.
Therefore, their first port of call this summer must be strengthening the defence. White is a centre-back who has all of the qualities necessary to become a mainstay at Goodison Park.
He is young, has plenty of re-sale value and is already an England international.
Consequently, supporters should be enthralled by the idea of Benitez bringing him to Merseyside.