Everton are trying to gazump Arsenal in the race to sign Ben White after holding talks with Brighton over a £50m move for England defender… with club moving quickly in the transfer market after Rafa Benitez’s appointment
- Everton have been in discussions with Brighton over defender Ben White
- The Toffees’ £50m bid includes £5m in add-ons, trumping Arsenal’s package
- White was understood to have been particularly keen on joining the Gunners
- But he is impressed with how Everton have moved since appointing Rafa Benitez
Everton are attempting to gazump Arsenal in the battle to sign England’s Ben White from Brighton, with Rafael Benitez making his presence felt quickly following his appointment as manager on Tuesday.
Sportsmail has learned that Everton have held talks with Brighton over a £50million transfer for the defender, who is with the England Euros squad, with £5m available to the south coast club in add-ons, a package that trumps the one offered by Arsenal last week.
Brighton have already rejected two offers from Arsenal, with their highest bid of £42m plus £4m in add-ons being turned down last Friday, and are holding out for £50m plus.
Everton are attempting to gazump Arsenal in the battle to sign England’s Ben White from Brighton
Brighton have already rejected two offers from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for White, with their highest bid being £42m plus £4m in add-ons
While they are yet to make a formal offer, Everton have indicated they are prepared to guarantee a payment of £50m, £20m of which would be paid up front with the remaining £30m to be spread equally over the four years of White’s proposed four-year contract.
White, 23, has made it clear to Brighton that he wants to leave, as he was given a verbal assurance that the club would not stand in his way if they received a suitable offer from a top-six club when he signed a new contract last year.
The 23-year-old is understood to have been particularly keen on signing for Arsenal, but the speed with which Everton have moved since Benitez’s appointment this week has impressed him and he has not ruled out a move to Goodison Park.
Benitez sought assurances from Everton that he would be backed in the transfer market before signing a three-year deal this week and by sanctioning a move for White the club have been true to their word.
The 23-year-old is understood to have been particularly keen on signing for Arsenal
The speed with which Everton have moved since Rafa Benitez’s appointment has impressed White
