The race to sign Ben White this summer has taken an unexpected new twist as Everton are reportedly ready to out-do Arsenal and meet Brighton’s valuation of the defender.
This comes after Manchester City have also shown an interest in the England international and have reportedly held preliminary discussions over bringing him to the Etihad.
The Gunners appeared to be the frontrunners for White’s signature, making bids of £42m plus £3m in add-ons, then a flat £45, but both were rejected by the Seagulls who are holding out for their £50m valuation.
With Arsenal seemingly not willing or not able to edge closer to the £50m mark, the Sun report that Everton are ready to swoop in and offer the full amount.
The Toffees announced Rafael Benitez as their new manager on Wednesday and the Spaniard is reported to have instructed the transfer chiefs to sanction the big-money deal for the 23-year-old.
He may have only made 36 Premier League appearances and is clearly behind Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Tyrone Mings at centre-back for England, but White is a man in serious demand, having also been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain.
Everton may be making the clearest offer of up front cash with fewest strings attached, as Arsenal dither and Manchester City must offload Aymeric Laporte before signing another centre-back.
However, with the likes of the Premier League champions interested in him, White may take some persuasion to commit his future to Everton instead, even if they are making the best offer to his club.
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