Everton have emerged as a potential destination for Arsenal defender Ben White, with Football Insider’s David Schill reporting that the club are ready to make a move once Arsenal complete their pursuit of Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa. The report claims White, 28 years old, would welcome a switch because he wants football after a disrupted season.
The report gained context this week. Reports on 14 August said Arsenal’s Konsa talks had advanced, although Aston Villa value him at £60m-plus and Arsenal’s earlier offer fell well short. The deal remains subject to talks. cite
White’s 2025/26 campaign ended in May after a significant medial knee ligament injury against West Ham. Opta Analyst records 12 Premier League appearances and 704 minutes, while Arsenal confirmed that the injury ruled him out for the rest of the season. cite
T4O take: Everton must resist the temptation
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: ars during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Everton can see the appeal, with David Moyes seeking greater reliability at right-back and cleaner distribution, yet I’d pass on this deal. White remains an excellent technician, and his Arsenal role has demanded movement, progressive passing and the ability to step into midfield, but that isn’t the profile I’d prioritise for Moyes.
His return to England in March showed his level remains high: he scored against Uruguay on his first appearance for the national side since 2022. Yet Everton’s needs differ. Moyes asks his defenders to protect a compact block, win aerial contests and clear danger without fuss. White can defend, but he offers more value in a proactive possession structure than in prolonged siege football.
Everton would pay too much
The finances make this harder to defend. White reportedly earns around £150,000 a week and is contracted until June 2028. Everton have spent years managing tight financial limits, so committing that salary and a substantial transfer fee to a 28-year-old returning from a serious knee problem would be risky.
Another issue is that Arsenal have viewed White as useful squad depth, and selling him after Konsa arrives would still require a sizeable fee. That creates the Arsenal premium. Everton could spend heavily for a player who improves their build-up, yet Moyes needs a cheaper right-back who suits his defensive structure first. White’s 87% passing accuracy and 350 Premier League passes point to technical quality, not necessarily the traits Everton should buy. For Everton, this feels like an expensive solution to the wrong problem.