Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Mon 1 June 2026 7:10, UK

Everton are in desperate need of a new right-back this summer, and Arsenal’s Ben White could and should be the man they go all in for.

The Toffees have essentially been without a real right-back all season, as veteran Seamus Coleman was the only natural option, but he was injured most of the campaign, and the same could be said for Nathan Patterson.

Regardless, Coleman is leaving the club when his contract expires, with Patterson also expected to depart, which gives the Friedkin group all the more reason to push for White.

Jake O’Brien has been a regular at right-back, but the towering Irishman has been forced out of position under David Moyes, whose transfer priority is painfully obvious to see.

White didn’t feature in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League final loss to PSG on Saturday, and internal figures for the Blues should now approve of his signing, given his past successes with the Gunners.

Everton should go all-in for Ben White; this is why

Everton have been credited with interest in White, who, like O’Brien, has been converted to a right-back from centre-back.

However, White has played for England and is much more comfortable out on the right, as he possesses unique ball-playing abilities.

White’s best season for the Gunners arguably came in the 2023-24 campaign, where he really came to life in the right-back spot, playing 37 times in the Premier League for Mikel Arteta.

The 28-year-old grabbed four goals and four assists, boasting an impressive chance creation of 1.17 per 90 minutes.

To put that into perspective, O’Brien only creates 0.49 chances per 90 minutes and had just two goal involvements in 37 games this season.

Not only has White proven he can be an attacking threat from right-back, but he has showed he’s just as good defensively, with a 53.3 per cent duel win rate from that particular season.

Everton must do what they can to get the former Leeds United star, who is now entering his prime, and clearly out of favour under Arteta.

When does White’s Arsenal deal expire?

White’s Arsenal career looks over at this point. The Gunners have Jurrien Timber and Christian Mosquera, who have both played ahead of him recently.

The Arsenal star suffered a knee injury in May, which could keep him out until August at the latest, but that shouldn’t prevent the Toffees from trying to bring him to Hill Dickinson.

White’s contract at The Emirates runs until 2028, meaning this is possibly the best window for the Gunners to get a decent fee for the right-back.

Arsenal signed him from Brighton for £50million in 2021, and have certainly got their money back with the titles he’s helped his side win.

Everton may just have to pay £25m, a fee that could be worth it to aid Moyes in a key area for next season.

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