Ben White’s transfer to Arsenal seemed like a done deal, that is until Everton stepped in and gazumped the Gunners’ offer. According to Daily Mail, Toffees have moved quickly to secure the signing of White.
Brighton previously rejected two of Arsenal’s offers for the 23-year-old, with both falling short of their expectations. The Seagulls are looking for a figure of around 50 million pounds, while the Gunners only offered 42 million-plus bonuses, claims the report. Arsenal are expected to return with another bid for White, who various sources claim to be among Mikel Arteta’s priority targets this summer.
Everton are offering Brighton exactly what they are demanding, which is 50 million in guaranteed fees. The Toffees plan to pay 20 million upfront and spread the remaining fees over the next four years.
They have also offered Brighton 5 million further in bonuses, bringing their overall package above Arsenal. White is being targeted as the first new signing under Rafa Benitez after the ex-Liverpool manager was appointed by Everton earlier this week.
White is among the most exciting, and consequently, the most sought-after defenders in England. The young centre-back is versatile enough to play either in a back three, as he did at Leeds United, or in a back four, as he did at Brighton.
He was courted by both Liverpool and Leeds last summer, but Brighton held on to him firmly. Subsequently, White went on to play a key role for the Seagulls during the 2020/21 season and was a constant presence in the back three alongside Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster.
