Everton eye Ben White as Arsenal’s Konsa chase threatens to set off transfer dominoes

Keep an eye on Merseyside: Everton are primed to pounce for Arsenal’s Ben White the moment Arsenal’s move for Ezri Konsa clicks into place. It’s classic transfer-window dominoes, and David Moyes looks ready to catch the biggest piece as he sharpens a squad aimed at Europe.

The right-side reshuffle Everton crave

The Toffees have been busy already, with deals reported for Brennan Johnson, Merlin Rohl, Tyrique George, Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard. Still, the right side of defence is top of Moyes’ to-do list. Initial admiration for Celtic stalwart Alistair Johnston has cooled — the Hoops don’t fancy weakening before their Champions League qualifiers, and there’s daylight between the valuations.

That’s nudged Everton towards White, a player Arsenal fans rate highly for his dependability and engine. He’s comfortable at right-back and capable in the middle — exactly the profile Moyes tends to covet when the games get gritty and the margins tight.

Arsenal’s domino: Konsa in, White out?

According to multiple reports, Arsenal are pushing to land Aston Villa’s Konsa, who can operate at centre-back or on the right. If that materialises, it would overlap with the roles White and Jurrien Timber cover, potentially opening the door to suitors. Villa, for their part, are also understood to be exploring options to bolster their own right side, adding another layer to this merry-go-round.

Mikel Arteta has long raved about White’s intensity and professionalism, and you see it in his week-to-week consistency. But even at a club on the up, squad evolution is ruthless — and if Arsenal do get Konsa, they may be tempted to cash in on a valuable asset.

Why White fits a Moyes team

White brings bite, versatility and a strong dressing-room presence. He’s the sort who’ll take a whack, get up and keep barking orders. That “team-first” mentality is right up Moyes’ street, and it’s hard to overstate how useful a dual-purpose defender is when injuries bite and game plans shift mid-match.

The caveat: fitness and finance

There’s risk here. White has had spells interrupted by niggles, and any fee plus wages won’t be small change. The Toffees will want thorough medical assurances before they go big. As for England hopes, whispers he might have featured this past summer were drowned out by those fitness concerns — which only sharpens the need for a clean bill of health.

Alternatives and the current pecking order

Everton aren’t short of bodies who can fill in — Jake O’Brien and Nathan Patterson offer coverage — but Moyes is clearly hunting battle-hardened know-how. Veteran option Kyle Walker is also under consideration as the club plan beyond Seamus Coleman, a move that would add leadership and instant nous.

What to believe — and what to bin

One outlandish whisper has Arsenal eyeing Jarell Quansah as a fallback option. Colour me sceptical — that one feels like silly-season froth rather than a serious contingency.

Transfer latest: If you’re tracking how the odds swing as this saga unfolds, our guide to the best betting sites is a handy starting point for keeping tabs on market moves.

Verdict

It all hinges on Konsa. If Arsenal seal that deal, Everton’s move for White becomes a very real runner. On paper, he’s a perfect fit for Moyes’ blueprint — tough, tactically flexible, and Premier League proof. The only thing that can scupper it? The price, the medical, or that age-old summer hurdle: a domino that refuses to fall.