Albion fans were last night ready for the latest round of Ben White transfer talk.

The much admired defender was reported to be the focus of attention for Manchester City and, more surprisingly, Everton.

Both the Daily Mail and The Sun reported last night that new Everton boss Rafa Benitez likes White and suggested talks had opened.

Earlier, reporter Duncan Castles said City had made initial contact and were keen on White should Aymeric Laporte leave.

All this eight days after Arsenal were reported to have pretty much done the deal and be “not far off” taking him to the Emirates with no real opposition.

The Argus was told at the time that was "simply not true".

White himself is with England ahead of their Euro 2020 quarter-final versus Ukraine in Rome and has spoken about "noise" in relation to the transfer talk.

As the volume was turned up again yesterday, there was no confirmation or otherwise of the City approach from sources closer to Brighton and the reports regarding Everton emerged too late to be cross-checked.

What has not changed is that several clubs are clearly keen on White. We knew that.

And what is highly unlikely to have changed is Albion’s wish to take the time they want over a decision.

Seagulls fans are used to seeing such reports about their players, particularly Lewis Dunk.

In the past two summers some sources, acting in good faith one imagines, have had him pretty much unpacking the removals van in Leicestershire or an expensive corner of West London.

White is reported to have been impressed by Everton’s speed of movement since Benítez was appointed.

City looks a great fit for him purely from the footballing viewpoint - but then so does Brighton.

Meanwhile, while not wanting to wish away our poor excuse for a summer, the end of the transfer window feels a long way off at the moment.

It feels like White might go.

Many fans seem resigned to that.

Some appear to have already banked the money and decided on which striker it should be spent.

But Albion will be happy to use that time and see how things develop if they think that is the best course of action.

They will ignore what is in the media and know sometimes information can be passed on with a specific motive.

White still has a Euros to finish and holiday to take.

The Seagulls know they have a wanted man on their hands.

Maybe even more wanted than they realised.

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But ideally they want to keep him.

They are in control of the situation and they will be in no mood to roll over for anyone