Ben White progress sees Brighton slap huge fee on Leeds loanee

Ben White, Helder Costa

Brighton have been so staggered by Ben White’s progress at Leeds that they have already raised their valuation of the player to £20million, claims a report.

The defender joined United on a season-long loan from the Seagulls over the summer; Leeds apparently taking something of a gamble on a relatively-unknown player who before this season had only played in League Two on loan with Newport and then League One with Peterborough.

And following Pontus Jansson’s surprise £5m switch to Brentford some weeks later, White found himself pitched straight into the Leeds first team, playing alongside club captain Liam Cooper at the heart of the defence.

Leeds boast the best defence in the division, having only conceded seven times in their 11 matches so far.

An ever-present so far, White has been truly magnificent for Leeds, with the player earning comparisons to the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Stones for his composure on the ball and the ability to bring it out of defence.

The player’s progress under Marcelo Bielsa has also not gone unnoticed by parent club Brighton, with a report on Football Insider claiming they have been left “staggered” by White’s development in such a short period of time under the Argentine.

 

 

As per the report, a source at the south coast club claims they have always regarded the defender as a player with the pedigree and potential to thrive in the Premier League rather than just the lower divisions, but that they did not expect him to make the step up to the Championship look such a simple one.

Furthermore, it’s claimed the Seagulls now value White at more than £20million and are looking forward to welcoming him into their senior squad when his loan spell finishes.

Leeds had wanted to sign White on loan with a view to a permanent deal, but Brighton – in their wisdom – opted against that and instead insisted on a temporary deal only.

 

Get the latest personalised Whites products on our new TEAMtalk Leeds United shop!