Two more central defenders linked with Everton move in transfer window

As the dust begins to settle on the appointment of Rafa Benitez as Everton manager, the Toffees are being linked again with new centre-backs.

Everton have been associated with a number of defenders over the past few months, particularly Khalidou Koulibaly, Geilson Bremer and Merih Demiral as well as others like Chris Smalling.

Now the Blues are supposedly interested in Brighton’s Ben White and again, Wolves Conor Coady, another defender temporarily linked with the club when it seemed as though Nuno Espirito Santo was about to become Everton manager.

The Daily Mail claim the Toffees are ready to nip in ahead of Arsenal (who have been chasing him) and secure the services of the new England central defender.

According to this report, the Blues are already talking to White’s representatives and will offer the Seagulls around £50 million for the 23-year-old player who had just broken into the England squad before the Euro’s.

The Mail believe this is a consequence of Benitez’s coming in and immediately getting started on recruiting new players with Marcel Brands.

This of course could be completely speculative as with so many of these stories and I’ve said I would be surprised if Everton spent heavily this summer. But maybe I’m wrong.

Moving for defensive reinforcements might well fit in with the approach Benitez will take because he will be likely to focus on strengthening the defensive solidity of the team as a first priority.

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Further to that is more news that the Blues will compete with Tottenham for the signature of Coady as the Wolves and England man becomes a major target for other clubs.

Everton will face serious competition from Santo’s new club Spurs for the 28-year-old centre-back who is currently in the England squad alongside White. Given his relationship with Coady, Santo is probably in pole position for the player.

White is certainly a very highly-regarded young defender, hence Arsenal’s interest, who has its seems made up his mind to leave the south coast club this summer.

He’s also a versatile player who can operate across the defence and also in midfield so he could represent an option to provide further defensive support and energy there.

Spending £50 million on him does seem a lot especially given the fact that Everton have other pressing needs in terms of reinforcements in the side. But then again a player of his potential would also fit in with Brands’ approach to signing new players.

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