Arsenal defender Ben White could attempt to force a dramatic £50million transfer to Premier League rivals Liverpool during the current January window, according to former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy.
Murphy's Verdict on Potential Liverpool Switch
Murphy believes the versatile England international, who has seen his role diminish at the Emirates Stadium over the last 18 months, would seize the opportunity to move to Anfield. White's reduced game time is attributed to a serious knee injury and the outstanding form of Jurrien Timber, which has limited his appearances in the right-back position he once commanded.
Speaking to BoyleSports, Murphy outlined why the transfer would be logical from the player's perspective. "Ben White to Liverpool would make sense but Arsenal might not want to sell to a rival," he stated. "It would depend on how adamant the player is that he wants to go. If Ben White was an option, I think that would be a good option for Liverpool."
Defensive Reinforcements a Priority for Champions
Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements is clear. The reigning champions are set to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer when his contract expires, while long-serving Joe Gomez is also likely to depart. Furthermore, the club has struggled to find a consistent deputy for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Jeremie Frimpong considered more attack-minded and Conor Bradley battling persistent fitness issues.
Competition at centre-back at Arsenal is also fiercer than ever, particularly following the summer signings of Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera. White, who originally joined as a centre-half, faces a significant battle to reclaim a starting spot in Mikel Arteta's plans.
Everton Interest and Player Motivation
While reports have linked White with a move to Everton in the last 24 hours, Murphy is convinced the allure of joining a club in the Champions League hunt would be decisive. "Any player would rather go to Liverpool than Everton," he argued. "I'm not saying that because I'm a Red, I'm saying that because Liverpool are competing for the Champions League, still in the top four, still in the FA Cup. Whereas Everton are obviously out of the FA Cup, they're not competing for European competitions."
Murphy concluded that if Liverpool's interest became concrete, White might try to force the issue, despite Arsenal's probable reluctance to sell to a direct rival. "I wouldn't see why if Liverpool were keen, then why he wouldn't try and force that move," he said.
This speculation emerges as Arteta prepares his squad for a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea on Wednesday, a competition he is desperate to win to end Arsenal's six-year trophy drought. The Gunners will be without several defenders for the clash at Stamford Bridge, including Riccardo Calafiori, Hincapie, and Mosquera, with a doubt also hanging over William Saliba.
