YEP journalist responds to Sky Sports update on Ben White, says what would be ‘Huge shock’
Although Leeds United have admitted defeat in their bid to sign Ben White permanently from Brighton, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth still expects the defender to leave the AMEX this summer.
Sky Sports offered a final update on Leeds’ pursuit of White, 22, on Monday.
The broadcaster reports that Brighton will refuse to sell the centre-back to a direct Premier League rival after rejecting three bids from the Yorkshire giants.
White spent last season on loan at Elland Road and was easily the best defensive player in the whole of the Championship as Leeds United won promotion to the Premier League.
White was so good that Smyth believes it’s unlikely that he will remain a Brighton player, suggesting that he’s possible too good for the south coast club.
Writing on his personal Twitter account on Monday in reaction to Sky’s report, Smyth said: “Still not fully convinced Ben White will remain a Brighton player come the end of the transfer window, but it would be a huge shock for him to end up back at Leeds now.
“That summer saga comes to an end. His contribution last season will be remembered for a long, long time though.”
Stats by Sky Sports show why White is so sought-after this summer.
As you can see in the graphic below, the defender won more interceptions and won possession in the defensive third more than any other player in the Championship last season.
It is not going to be easy for Leeds to replace White but Victor Orta and his scouts will have been working all season for someone who could fill the Brighton defender’s boots.
It seems that Freiburg’s Robin Koch is seen as someone who can do that.
Sky Sports added in their report that Leeds are likely to ramp up their efforts to sign the Germany international now that they’ve reached a dead-end in the pursuit for White.
It’s good planning by Leeds and Orta and that good planning is one of the many reasons why this club is now a Premier League club.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign this “energetic” forward.