Speaking recently in a Q&A session on the Leeds Live website, Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross provided an update on the club’s pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White.
White enjoyed a remarkable season on loan at Elland Road last term, with the defender starting every one of the club’s 46 Championship fixtures, contributing one goal and two assists.
On top of this, the centre-back averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per game, as well as averaging 56.2 passes per game and a pass success rate of 84.6%.
These stats culminated in an average WhoScored match rating of 7.09/10, enough to rank White as the fifth-best Leeds player last term.
As such, it is not surprising to see that Leeds are extremely keen on making the 22-year-old’s loan deal a permanent one this summer, however, White’s parent club Brighton are reported to be unwilling to sell to a club who ‘could be near them in the table next season’, as per The Sun.
When asked for an update during a Q&A on Leeds Live on the club’s chase of White, Cross had this to say on the matter:
“Talks have been going on behind the scenes with Brighton all season. That’s only natural for them to check in on how their player is doing. Frank talks will have been had already on Leeds’ interest, but while decision-makers and players are on holiday, it slows things down. The ball is in White and Brighton’s courts right now. You feel the player needs to force it if he wants out.”
TIF Thoughts…
As a Leeds fan, it must be reassuring to see that Cross believes Leeds will try their utmost to sign the defender permanently this summer, considering how pivotal he was to Leeds’ success in the Championship last term.
Are you confident a deal can be agreed to bring Ben White back to Elland Road next season?
Yes
No
