By Neil Champney

18th Jul, 2020 | 10:38am

Brighton boss Graham Potter issues update on Ben White plans for 20/21

Brighton manager Graham Potter has claimed that Leeds United loanee Ben White is very much part of his plans on the south coast next season.

The defender has enjoyed a revelatory campaign at Elland Road, and has been an ever-present of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion winning team.

Speculation has remained rife over where he will be playing his football next season, with the likes of Jermaine Beckford urging the Whites to wrap up a permanent deal for the youngster.

But Potter is seemingly intent on incorporating him into the first team picture at the Amex Stadium for the 2020/21 campaign.

Speaking in a press conference on Saturday morning, he said: “We see Ben White as part of our plan.

“Everyone won, he got great experience and Leeds United got their goal of promotion.

“We rate Ben highly, I’ve followed his career closely, we like him a lot.

“We’ll see him in pre-season and he will be part of our group.”

This is what we’ve all been fearing really.

It has been reported in the past that the Seagulls are keen on keeping hold of White, but to hear it from the manager himself is a bit of a sucker punch.

It’s little wonder that the defender is such hot property though.

Paul Robinson has lavished praise on him recently for his “absolutely outstanding” contribution to Leeds’ promotion charge, and he’s been so good that even Liverpool and Arsenal are being linked with a swoop this summer.

Only time will tell whether or not that reported interest actually materialises, but you would assume that if a substantial offer came in, their resolve would be tested.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Looked terrified’, ‘Our best player’ – These Leeds fans torn over display of one man v Barnsley.