An end to Everton's right-back saga? Spence, White, and Doue named as summer shortlist

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·8 July 2026

An end to Everton's right-back saga? Spence, White, and Doue named as summer shortlist

Everton’s need for a right-back has become a ludicrously long transfer saga that must find its conclusion this summer.

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Jake O’Brien’s continued use in the role has been a topic of discussion, limiting Everton going forward and denying the Irishman the chance to partner Jarrad Branthwaite in what should be the club’s long-term axis at centre-back.

The Athletic’s latest instalment of the Transfer Deal Sheet has named a group of players who all reportedly feature on Everton’s summer shortlist.

Djed Spence - Tottenham Hotspur

Spence could be squeezed out at Spurs following the club’s ambitious summer recruitment.

Though right-footed, the 25-year-old played the bulk of his minutes at left-back for Spurs last season, but the arrival of Andy Robertson has increased competition for a place.

After making the England squad for this summer’s World Cup, Spence could be tempted by regular first-team football, with Pedro Porro and Robertson likely to be first-choice in North London.

His homegrown status and ability to deputise on either flank appeal, while Spence is an excellent ball-carrier. He ranked second among Premier League full-backs for progressive carries per 90 last season and seventh for successful dribbles. However, Spence is limited in terms of attacking output. He failed to record a goal or assist in 2025/26 and ranked 40th among the league’s full-backs for key passes per game.

Ben White - Arsenal

Ben White could be a casualty of Arsenal’s need to raise funds for summer recruitment, with the right-back having fallen behind Jurrien Timber in the pecking order at the Emirates. With Cristhian Mosquera offering another centre-back/right-back profile that Mikel Arteta prefers at full-back, White could move on.

White’s stock has fallen over the last two seasons, but if Everton could get the 28-year-old back to the levels he showed in 2022/23 and 2023/24, he’d be a real asset. White scored six goals and added nine assists over those two league campaigns for the Gunners.

Guela Doué - Strasbourg

Perhaps the preferred candidate among many Evertonians. Doué cemented his reputation as one of Ligue 1’s leading full-backs last season, with eye-catching numbers at both ends of the pitch. He scored twice and laid on six assists, while ranking among the top-performing full-backs in France for aerial duels won (1st), completed forward passes (2nd), duels won (3rd), cross accuracy (3rd), interceptions (5th), and possession won (5th).

The issue appears to be the price tag. The Athletic report that Strasbourg’s valuation of Doué could be too much for the Toffees, with rumours of a £40m asking price.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - West Ham

Everton were linked with an approach for Aaron Wan-Bissaka earlier in the summer, following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.

However, the Hammers are yet to receive ‘any enquiries’ for the 28-year-old. West Ham want £25m for Wan-Bissaka, who is contracted until 2021.

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100% no to Ben White: he spends most of his time on the treatment table and also not a natural right back as he started as a centre-back. Doue would be first choice with either Spence or Wan-Bissaka an upgrade on what we have.

Wan-Bissaka and Spence together could work as Spence can play both full-back positions. I'd prefer to be starting the season with 2 extra full-backs...

Ian Bennett 3 Posted 08/07/2026 at 13:03:48

The cost is the issue.

Ben White fee plus his £150k per week are a problem. A loan may be a solution.

Doue is likely to be near £50M, and is more likely to go to a club like city than us.

Wan Bissaka fee has risen from £10M to £15M, to £20-25M plus his £90k a week wages. Does that represent a good signing for a lad that was benched towards the end of the season?

Spence is quick, young, can play left back or right back, but doesn't provide goals or assists. He certainly doesn't complement Mykolenko.

Rico Lewis looks a good bet, but Man City aren't selling until a replacement is found.

It is a seller's market. Much of the Top 6 are looking for new full-backs to start or as back-up. Rico Lewis may well fancy a Villa etc ahead of us. I can understand that this isn't easy compared to George or Hackney.

Andrew Ellams 4 Posted 08/07/2026 at 13:04:04

Out of that lot, Wan-Bissaka.

Spence is an upgrade on Mykolenko but not sure Spurs will be letting him go for cheap.

Keith Gleave 5 Posted 08/07/2026 at 13:20:30

No to Spence, not certain defensively and brings nothing going forward. White is an absolute no. Doué would be best. Wan bisaka has done well at World Cup.

Si Cooper 6 Posted 08/07/2026 at 13:56:26

I think it’s extremely harsh to hold a right-footed defensive player to account for poor productivity in the advanced position when playing on the left flank in a side that struggled for most of the season. I think Spence is a decent player and Wan-Bissaka is more limited, although I can’t say I watched tons of their games. Doue I’ve seen even less of. Ben White is probably the one I’ve seen most often the last few years or so, but most of the time he has seemed pretty ordinary to me.