Phil Hay: Ben White wants Leeds United move on one condition
Ben White “is keen” on a move back to Leeds United if his contract talks with Brighton go nowhere, according to Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
That’s the good news as the White transfer saga rolls on.
Leeds seemed to have reached an impasse after two offers (the highest being £22m upfront plus add-ons) were rejected.
Mirror journalist David Anderson claimed that Leeds would push this to £30m+ but that this still falls short of Brighton’s £40m valuation.
Leeds chief Angus Kinnear opened up on the transfer in an interview with The Square Ball over the weekend, saying, “There’s no lack of financial commitment in terms of trying to secure him but there comes a point where you have to accept that it’s not going to happen. You don’t pursue someone for too long at the expense of other targets.”
However, Athletic journalist Phil Hay delivered an update on Tuesday that contained some very positive information.
Firstly, “The Athletic understands they [Leeds] are the only ones to table an offer so far.”
Secondly, Hay said, “White’s development under Bielsa and the success of his season at Elland Road has made a permanent switch attractive.
“He is understood to be keen on returning to Leeds if contract talks with Brighton come to nothing.”
So far, White has resisted all Brighton efforts to get him to sign a new contract.
“They have tried to push White’s salary closer to the £20,000-a-week mark but he has turned down their proposals,” Hay said.
Hay also went on to say that it could take White asking to go to make the move happen.
Leeds have reportedly found an alternative to Ben White – Freiburg’s Robin Koch. [Telegraph]
White remains the number one target and he would have the advantage of walking straight into the Bielsa side. He wouldn’t need a pre-season, which Koch would.
However, Koch has the backing of the Leeds fans and would come a lot cheaper – leaving more money to sign other players.
Leeds fans want White but not at the expense of other signings.
It’s on a knife-edge but this one isn’t over yet. However, it does seem like it’s one of these two – with Bielsa only wanting one centre-back despite the injury to Gaetano Berardi.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds set sights on signing 24y/o midfielder into his last year of contract – report