Everton Target Risks It All On Arsenal Promise: Can The Toffees Land A Proven Defender Who Won’t Come Cheap?
Everton Target Risks It All On Arsenal Promise: Can The Toffees Land A Proven Defender Who Won’t Come Cheap? Everton are keen on Ben White this summer, but the 28-year-old defender has made it clear that he’ll turn down a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium if Mikel Arteta confirms he still has a real part to play at Arsenal. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that White’s choice depends entirely on getting playing time guarantees from Arteta, rather than chasing money or a fresh start elsewhere.
Brown pointed out that White is looking for answers on whether he stays as a key starter or slips into a bit-part rotation role behind Jurrien Timber. White has put in 30 appearances this season, starting 23 times and racking up 1,880 minutes, decent numbers for a squad player, but likely frustrating for a defender of his calibre. He joined from Brighton in 2021 for around £50 million and quickly showed his value across right-back and centre-back, two spots Everton are desperate to fix.
His reliability and tactical discipline made him a staple in the Arsenal side for years. But a serious medial knee ligament injury, confirmed after Sunday’s win at West Ham, has now sidelined White for the rest of the season, throwing a real curveball into his summer plans. “It’s a difficult one with Ben White.
If Arsenal win the Premier League title, as I believe they will, and the Champions League as well, why would he want to leave being a part of that squad? The only possible reason is if he thinks he’s not going to get much playing time. He’s been back in the side recently when Timber has been injured, but when he comes back, will he drop back down to being a rotation option again?
That’s something he will have to speak to Mikel Arteta about to seek some assurances, because Arsenal are going to need to have a big squad. If he’s going to be part of that squad, then I find it difficult to imagine him leaving Arsenal. But if he’s going to be playing a bit-part role there and wants to move on, Everton would be a very good destination for him, and he would fit in well.