On a recent edition of the Talking Shutt Podcast, the panel discussed the situation regarding Leeds United’s interest in signing Ben White on a permanent deal this summer.
White spent the entire 2019/20 campaign on loan at Elland Road, starting 100% of their Championship fixtures and making a total of 46 league appearances (via Transfermarkt.co.uk). Having played such a key role in the club’s march towards promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years, it appears the Yorkshire-based club are determined to have the 22-year-old in and amongst their ranks as they take on the top-flight.
It was reported earlier this week that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have seen two bids rejected by White’s parent club Brighton, the first of £18.5m and the second of £22m (via Sky Sports).
When discussing Leeds’ efforts to sign the player, Ben, a regular contributor to the show, said:
“I don’t think it’s been any secret that we wanted to keep him and I think that might be its [the deal’s] downfall. Because it’s very clear how good he was last year, Brighton can hold us to ransom. Any big top-six club coming in for Ben White are not going to pay anywhere near the fee we’re going to have to pay, I don’t think, because he’s got his reputation that has been built from playing with us.
“It’s very well known that we need him. We don’t just want him to build out a squad like a Liverpool or a [Manchester] City would. We need him, he’s going to be a focal point in our squad, and Brighton probably see us as a rival next year.”
Are you hopeful of Leeds and Brighton agreeing a deal for Ben White?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
Judging by the fact the club have had two bids for White rebuffed already it looks as though they are going to have to break the bank in order to re-sign Ben White. At this stage, we don’t know exactly what Leeds United have available in terms of transfer funds and therefore only they will know how high they can go with regards to the transfer fee.