Pundit names Leeds, Liverpool as top suitors for ‘elite, £50m star’

Jurgen Klopp, Marcelo Bielsa

Interest in Brighton defender Ben White will reach new heights this summer, with Leeds, Liverpool and Tottenham all tipped to mount bids to sign him.

The centre-half, 23, caught the eye last season after helping Leeds United gain promotion to the Premier League during his loan spell at Elland Road.

The Yorkshire club were eager to make the move permanent but the Seagulls made it clear they had no intention of letting him leave.

White has contined his development and enhanced his reputation in becoming a first-team regular at Brighton this season. Indeed, the classy defender has made 26 appearances this season and only been booked twice.

However, with Brighton struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, pundit Paul Robinson claims the Seagulls face a tough task retaining his services beyond this season.

He claims it’s inevitable that bigger and better clubs will be casting their eyes on White, who he says is an “elite-level centre-half”.

Robinson names Leeds, Liverpool and Tottenham as the three sides he expects to battle for White. And despite his likely £50m fee, he thinks it’s a fair price to pay given his quality.

“A lot of clubs will be looking to sign an elite level centre-back in the summer,” he told Football Insider.

Wolves v Leeds United Match Preview, February 19, 2021

Wolves v Leeds United Match Preview, February 19, 2021

A look ahead to the Premier League game between Wolves and Leeds United, including stats on form, possession, shots, cards, corners, top scorers and previous meetings.

“I expect Ben White to be in demand from Leeds, Liverpool and Tottenham at the end of the season.

“You can see how hard that market when you look at Liverpool’s business in January. They waited until the end of the window and they got two players who they probably did not initially want to sign.

“If you are a top-class centre-half in this day and age, you are in high-demand.”


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Potter tries to calm Ben White claims

Such has been White’s form that there has even been mention of Barcelona and Real Madrid keeping tabs on his progress.

Ben White

While nothing is impossible, Brighton boss Graham Potter has done his best to dampen transfer speculation over White.

Speaking back in December, Potter spoke of White’s professionalism.

Potter said: “Ben is a level-headed guy and he wants to play football at the very highest level.

“He gets down with his work. He was totally professional in the summer, despite the noise outside which you cannot control.

“Ben is a smart guy. We will try to help him enjoy his football as that is the most important thing.”

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