PRICE RISING FOR IN-DEMAND BEN
Leeds battle to land White
THE first bid for Brighton’s in-demand defender Ben White came in at the princely sum of £15.07 – it was one that was politely rejected. Young Leeds United fan Daniel Auton had written to the south coast club with the offer after checking the contents of his piggy bank, so desperate was he to keep White at Elland Road.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber replied that they had given the offer “serious consideration” but sadly couldn’t accept it.
Not that Leeds boss Marcelo
Bielsa has fared any better with two more substantial bids – the last one believed to be in the region of £25million.
Now it’s understood that
Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in White, who featured in every one of Leeds’
46 games in their Championshipwinning season.
Not bad for someone who hasn’t played a single league game for his parent club yet.
But former Leeds and England keeper Paul Robinson (above) believes that White possesses the qualities to be a success at the highest level.
And beyond that, he thinks he would be an automatic choice under Jurgen Klopp at champions Liverpool.
Robinson said: “I know he has a great affinity with Leeds, the club and its fans but the offer of Champions League football for the Premier League holders could prove to be a bigger temptation.
“If Liverpool managed to sign him, he would in my view go straight in alongside Virgil van Dijk. They would form a formidable partnership.
“Once he got into the team you would never get him out.
“Look at him at Leeds – he didn’t miss a single game.”
It’s why the Yorkshire club are desperate to make his loan move from the Amex permanent.
Brighton boss Graham Potter insists that he is anxious to offer
White, who has also attracted the attention of England boss Gareth Southgate, a regular starting place.
“He’s our player and I know he is ready for the Premier League, 100 per cent,”said Potter. “I have been aware of him for some time and wanted to sign him at Swansea.
“I’m looking forward to working with him.”
But Brighton have a plethora of central defenders, having just added Ajax’s Joel Veltman to the squad and, like many, are looking at their finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It leaves the club vulnerable to a big-money approach for a player who joined them aged 16.
Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has watched White numerous times and said: “There’s a bit of John Stones, a young Rio Ferdinand in addition to some John Terry and Gary Cahill in him.
“He’s earned his stripes.”