Celtic have been handed a transfer boost over Alistair Johnston, who may have been replaced as a transfer target. The Bhoys received interest in Johnston recently when Everton came calling for his services.
Toffees boss David Moyes personally called Martin O'Neill to inform him of his interest in the Canadian international. Johnston came back from a long-term injury to play a key role in Celtic's league and cup double last season, and he also impressed to help Canada to a historic Round of 16 run at the World Cup.
Celtic made it clear they did not want to lose Johnston before their Champions League qualifying playoffs with LASK on August 18 and 25, while there was also said to be a gap of around £5million between Everton's offer and Celtic's valuation of their reliable right-back.
Those factors led Everton's interest to cool, and there could now be more good news amid fears the Premier League club could circle back for Johnston at the end of the window.
Everton turning to Arsenal star
According to Football Insider, Everton are now showing serious interest in Arsenal star Ben White, who could be replaced by Ezri Konsa in the next week. The Gunners are said to be working on a deal for the Aston Villa star who, like White, can play at centre-back and right-back.
White has had some injury issues, but he would be quite the grab from Everton, and the hard-working England international is very much Moyes' type of player, as is Johnston.
Johnston is one of Celtic's best and most reliable players, but it is no disrespect to the Canadian to point out that White is a superior player, so if Everton can get him from Arsenal, they would likely prioritise that deal.
The full-back would have started the Champions League final and gone to the World Cup with England had he not suffered another injury late last season. But Mikel Arteta is trying to upgrade wherever he can this summer, and White could pay the price.
That would be an ideal scenario for Celtic, who have not received any serious interest from anywhere else for Johnston so far this summer. Everton finding an alternative would mean Celtic likely get to keep Johnston, at least for another year, and that would be a massive boost, especially in a summer that has seen Daizen Maeda leave, while Arne Engels is about to follow.
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