On the latest episode of the TIFO Football Podcast, Joe Devine, Alex Stewart, Seb Stafford-Bloor and George Elek have been discussing some of the ‘sensible transfers’ they feel Manchester United, Southampton and West Brom should be targeting this summer.
One suggestion for Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side on the recent podcast was Brighton centre-back Ben White. The 22-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign on loan with Leeds United in the Championship, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side to the league title, as he appeared in every league game, and averaged a strong 7.09 rating (per WhoScored).
The young defender is reportedly being targeted by a host of Premier League clubs this summer, whilst Leeds United have seemingly bid for him in an attempt to bring him back to Elland Road permanently (per The Sun).
However, Elek feels that Manchester United should bid for the Brighton man this summer, saying:
“I’m now going to upset Leeds fans – because I think Ben White would be a brilliant fit at Manchester United. He spent last season on loan at Leeds from Brighton as a replacement for Pontus Jansson and just surprised everybody by how quickly he took to first-team football. He’d spent some of the season before on loan at Newport County and stepped up at Elland Road and is every part the assured centre-back, there’s nothing particularly haphazard or flailing about his style of play.
“He’s very, very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He’s decent in the air, he carries the ball out of defence in a way that has shades of Rio Ferdinand, the way that he can gallop through the middle of the park.”
TIF Thoughts…
White certainly wouldn’t come cheap, with Graham Potter’s side reportedly suggesting that the 22-year-old is not for sale this summer, following his impressive performances in the Championship with Leeds, perhaps he could prove to be a superb addition to Solskjaer’s squad.
Would you like to see United try and sign Ben White this summer?
Yes
No
It will be interesting to see if United do act on their reported interest in the defender, as Elek certainly feels that he would be an excellent fit at the Red Devils.