Arsenal and Everton may both aim to strengthen this January.placeholder image
Arsenal and Everton may both aim to strengthen this January. | Getty Images
Arsenal and Everton could do shock business this January transfer window
Premier League leaders Arsenal are eyeing up a memorable 2026, with the Gunners viewed as many people’s favourites for the league title in addition to being in with a shout of cup glory on domestic and European fronts.
Mikel Arteta has infamously won just a single FA Cup during his six years as Gunners boss but will hope for that record to finally end this season, with a first Premier League title in 22 years their overriding target.
Everton, meanwhile, have seen a strong start to the season under David Moyes begin to fade away somewhat in recent weeks as the Toffees find themselves back firmly within mid-table. Though in 12th position in the league, they are just four points off fifth and much can still change in the second half of the season – particularly if they have a strong winter window.
Everton linked with Arsenal defender Ben White
The 28-year-old has only made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, with just four of those coming as league starts and the majority of the season spent sat on the substitutes’ bench behind first-choice Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners are not believed to have been keen on selling a first-team player mid-season as they aim for success on all fronts, but this ‘may have changed’ amidst White’s lack of minutes in recent weeks. The player could ‘push’ for a loan move according to reports, with Everton ‘waiting in the wings’ to secure what could be a marquee acquisition.
White has over two years remaining on his contract at Arsenal, with the club also holding an option of a further 12 months until 2029. The Gunners are, therefore, in a strong position to demand a hefty fee – even for a loan deal – for a player on whom they spent £50 million in 2021.
Could Arsenal and Everton seal shock swap deal?
In order to soften the financial terms of a move for White, Everton may look for alternative methods to secure a deal with Arsenal – who could demand a Toffees starlet as part of a swap deal for the defender.
Everton recently recalled 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong from his loan spell at Preston North End in the Championship, and the Toffees academy product was handed his first Premier League start in the 1-1 draw with Wolves last time out.
The central midfielder is viewed as having a bright future in the game and has already shone in two separate second-tier loan spells, leading Everton to decide that he is now ready to be a first-team player. Arsenal have famously brought through some top English talents in recent years such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Myles Lewis-Skelly and, most recently, Max Dowman, and may look to add Armstrong to their ranks as another potential star for the future.
Everton would be reluctant to part ways with the England Under-19 wonderkid but if faced with the prospect of missing out on a move for White, the two clubs could engage in a swap deal which would undoubtedly prove to be one of the moments of the winter window.
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