View: Phil Hay makes Leeds claim about Ben White that Brighton fans will love
Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said that Leeds United need to draw a line under Ben White and move on, with other areas of the team needing attention in the summer.
That’s a claim that will come as a relief to Brighton fans who were thrilled when their club refused to do business with Leeds last summer.
Leeds tried to sign White on a permanent deal after a successful season on loan in the Championship.
Marcelo Bielsa admitted that Leeds had bid £30m for the centre-back but Brighton refused to do business with a team they called a ‘direct rival’.
Some Leeds fans want to see the club try again in the summer, with White providing cover for Kalvin Phillips as well as being a reliable defender.
However, Hay thinks that ship has sailed, especially with Brighton valuing the player at £40m.
“He [White] did look fantastic in the Championship. I guess what you have to ask is, if Leeds have that £40m, does it make sense spending that money on another centre-back?
“There are other positions where I think they need to prioritise first – the centre of midfield especially.”
It’s hard to argue with this
The centre of midfield does need money spending on it but we still think there are merits to bringing White in.
First, he’s still young and his value will only appreciate, especially if he’s back playing for the manager that turned him into a superstar.
White is only 23 and not yet an England international.
Also, he does solve a big problem in midfield as well. He can cover for Phillips whenever he’s out and he’s ultra-reliable.
He didn’t miss a game for Leeds in the Championship last season and he’s only been rested once in the Premier League by Graham Potter.
£40m is probably too much but Brighton aren’t safe yet and if they’re relegated they may be forced to sell.
If that happens we’d love White to come back and we do think there’s unfinished business for him at Elland Road.
However, if Brighton stay up – and they should – Leeds have a budget and White will most likely sit outside of that.
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