Liverpool looking at Leeds defender as long-term Lovren replacement

Ben White, Helder Costa

Liverpool are tracking the progress of Leeds United’s on-loan defender Ben White, according to a report.

White has impressed since moving to Elland Road on loan from Premier League side Brighton – for whom he has only ever played in the League Cup – in the summer, with the 22-year-old showing maturity upon his step up to Championship football.

The defender’s form has reportedly seen his parent club place a £20m valuation on him, as per Football Insider – who have returned with a fresh update on the player’s future.

The website claims that Champions League holders Liverpool are monitoring White, as they look for a long-term option to add depth at centre-back.

Dejan Lovren is expected to leave Anfield having fallen down the pecking order and with his contract expiring in two years’ time, meaning Jurgen Klopp has sent his scouts on the lookout for potential replacements.

 

Targeting young, promising defenders from smaller clubs is a strategy Liverpool have used before, with current first teamer Joe Gomez having been plucked from Charlton in 2015, gradually developing into a contender for a starting shirt.

In fact, Liverpool’s interest in White is not new, as they were rumoured to be scouting him – along with Tottenham – as far back as February 2018, when he was on loan at League Two club Newport County.

Brighton, however, want to keep White and integrate him into their own first team when his Leeds loan expires at the end of the season.

 

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