Leeds United are interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion centre-half Haydon Roberts this summer, according to The Telegraph.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side could be about to lose Ben White, who is due to return to the Amex Stadium at the end of his loan deal, and it appears they’ve shown an interest in the 18-year-old defender with a view to him being a possible replacement.
The report alleges that there are a number of clubs interested in landing Roberts this summer, including Leeds’ Championship rivals Brentford and Derby County. It’s also understood that there is interest from Germany, with RB Leipzig and Mainz having sent scouts to watch him.
The teenager is yet to appear for Graham Potter’s side in the Premier League, but has made 14 appearances in the Premier League 2 for the Seagulls Under-23s this season (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).
TIF Thoughts…
The Whites are currently top of the Championship and are closing in on promotion back to the top flight for the first time since their relegation at the end of the 2003/04 campaign. If they are unable to agree a deal with Brighton that would see White remain at Elland Road beyond the end of this season, we can probably expect the club to be on the lookout for a central defender.
Would you be concerned by Roberts' lack of experience?
Yes
No
However, with White having played such a key role this season by playing every minute of their Championship campaign so far, coupled with Roberts’ lack of first-team experience, whilst the latter may be a great prospect for the future, we would question whether he is currently at the level to walk in and fill the void left by the potentially outgoing defender immediately.
That said, if Brighton’s production line is as consistently impressive as White may have made it out to be, perhaps a move for Roberts is not the worst idea for Leeds should they lose their current defender’s services this summer.