Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 1 May 2026 10:10, UK

Ben White has been heavily linked with Everton over the past few months as David Moyes looks to invest in his defensive options.

The Toffees are currently fighting for European places, and the outcome of this battle could determine the transfer business they conduct.

When it comes to targets, the Blues will certainly be eyeing defensive reinforcements, particularly in the fullback position.

Moyes has not often rotated in that area of the pitch, and that has been down to the Scotsman not trusting any of his backup options.

However, ahead of Everton’s summer window, White has emerged as a potential target, but the links do little to excite.

Why Ben White would not offer Everton an upgrade

Right now, Everton already have a centre-back profile playing at right-back in Jake O’Brien, and it has made the Blues fairly limp in attack from the fullback position.

Signing White would be doubling down on that tactic when the Blues should be looking for more ways to get creative and score goals. However, The i Paper has credited Everton with interest in a summer move.

Additionally, White has barely played football over the last year. In the Premier League this season, he has played just 602 minutes.

While signing the six-cap England international would offer cover for O’Brien and provide a sense of continuity in that aspect, the Toffees must be more adventorous in their targets.

There has already been an over-reliance on Jack Grealish at Everton, and going down the same path in terms of fullback creativity would further compound that.

Moyes has a chance to add a different profile to his squad, one that could push Everton back up the table next season.

He must take that risk rather than playing it safe by signing White, especially considering Everton’s goalscoring is in line with the relegation-threatened sides.

Who else could Everton sign instead?

Everton have been linked with numerous right-backs over the last year, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy one of the biggest links.

The Englishman was the subject of a late push by the Blues in the winter window but instead opted to stay at Genoa until the end of the season.

The Serie A defender is likely to attract more interest in the coming weeks, with Inter Milan touted to be in the hunt as well.

Norton-Cuffy would offer the Toffees something different and is a more exciting option than White on paper.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.