James Garner Breaks Silence On £50M Everton Target: Does He Make Sense For The Toffees? | OneFootball

James Garner marked his senior England debut on Friday evening. He delivered a Player of the Match performance in a pre-World Cup friendly against Uruguay at Wembley. He earned widespread praise even though the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

James Garner supports White after a dramatic Wembley night

According to a report by iNews, Everton are targeting Arsenal defender Ben White for a summer transfer. The Merseyside club reportedly lead the race ahead of several other interested parties. The 28-year-old White plays primarily at right-back but operates comfortably as a centre-back too. He came on as a second-half substitute. He scored England’s 81st-minute opener with a close-range finish from a corner. However, the Arsenal man then conceded a penalty in the 94th minute. Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde converted the strike to rescue a point for Uruguay.

Tuchel notably compared Garner to Valverde earlier in the week. This made the Uruguayan’s decisive contribution feel ironic. White’s evening took a sharp turn. He entered the pitch to a chorus of boos from the Wembley crowd. This stemmed from his history of leaving the 2022 World Cup camp after a row with coach Steve Holland. He quietened his critics with the goal before gifting Uruguay their equaliser.

After the final whistle, Gabriel Clarke spoke with Garner. Garner offered supportive words regarding his teammate’s turbulent night. He told ITV Sport: “Yeah, you know he came in, got a goal and then of course, the penalty is probably going to be spoken about. Some people will say it is, some people will say it wasn’t.” (Quote via Everton News)

Does the White transfer make sense for Everton?

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Ben White of England looks dejected as he acknowledges the fans following the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The transfer link is worth examining. It tells a story about Everton’s current direction. David Moyes’ side entered the international break in eighth place, as they sit level on points with Brentford in seventh. They trail fifth-placed Liverpool by just three points. The manager intends to build on that momentum with smart summer signings.

Moyes currently plays either Jake O’Brien or James Garner out of position at right-back. The need for a specialist in that area is obvious. It is a structural problem the club face every game. White is under contract at Arsenal until June 2028. However, he has played just over 1,000 minutes across all competitions this season. Jurrien Timber has cemented himself as Mikel Arteta’s first choice, and this pushed the Englishman to the fringes.

From a pure football standpoint, the move appeals to Everton. White is versatile. He can play across the back four or even in defensive midfield. This suits a Moyes side that value positional flexibility. Furthermore, Arsenal will likely avoid selling White to a title rival. This means Everton’s current league position could help them during negotiations.

The price adds another point to the interest. Arsenal could be open to a deal for around £20-25 million this summer. This is much cheaper than the original £50 million they paid to Brighton in 2021. The Friedkin Group now owns the club and holds European ambitions. If they go on to spend that figure on a proven international defender, it feels like a calculated upgrade. Everton must still beat competition from Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea. All three clubs have also linked themselves with the defender.