Ben Godfrey and Ben White could be the future of Everton, the club's former defender Michael Ball told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview.

Arsenal were thought to be close to signing the English centre-back. However, according to the Daily Mail, Everton are looking to gazump their Premier League rivals and are in talks with Brighton over a £50m deal.

When it comes to that centre-back position, the Toffees currently have the likes of Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Godfrey. And alongside the latter, Ball believes White could help give the club a centre-half partnership for years.

Speaking exclusively to TT about Everton's interest in the 23-year-old, the retired full-back said:

"You can obviously see Ben White and Ben Godfrey playing together and as the future of the club.

"Yeah, 50 million does seem a lot of money, but it's the way football's gone nowadays."

White was one of Brighton's standout defenders last term. He averaged more tackles per league game (1.4) than fellow centre-backs Adam Webster (one) and Lewis Dunk (0.9, via WhoScored).

The England international also averaged 1.7 interceptions, again more than the team's other central defenders.

Ultimately, the defensive quality is certainly there, though the £50m fee he is commanding is questionable after just one season in the Premier League.