Leeds player value may plunge by seven-figure sum due to pandemic – Finance expert
Leeds United may be able to sign Ben White for £5million cheaper due to the impact that coronavirus has had on football’s economy, according to a financial expert.
Speaking to the Express, University of Liverpool teacher and football finance expert Kieran Maguire claimed that mid-tier clubs, like Brighton, will see the value of their players depreciate ahead of the next transfer window.
White, 22, has played every minute of every Championship match this season after joining Leeds on loan in the summer and the club would no doubt love to sign him permanently.
And it does seem that if the Whites win promotion, it could be a lot cheaper to land the centre-back.
“I think in respect of the teams coming up they will probably spend a little bit less but that’s partly due to the fact they will be able to buy the players slightly cheaper,” Kieran Maguire told the Express.
“Leeds have had Ben White on loan from Brighton this year.
“Now, I think Brighton would have been looking for a very high price for Ben White because he’s probably one of the best centre-backs in the Championship.
“I’ve got some friends who support Leeds who say he’s the best centre-back they’ve had since Rio Ferdinand.
“In the market in the sort of mid-tier clubs I think there will be a decline in value so they may be able to get him for £4-5million less than they initially thought. Similarly, Brighton would be able to do exactly the same.
“There will be a bit of a merry-go-round but I think the gross cost will come down for clubs that are promoted and therefore they will be in a strong position to negotiate in the market.”
White has, understandably, been linked with some top Premier League clubs due to his form at Leeds this season.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea are the teams that have been linked with the defender, who is young, English and at title-winning form at Elland Road.
Brighton could demand a lot for him and having £5million knocked off that price would be a major boost for Leeds if they entered a bidding war.
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