Leeds United’s on-loan centre-back Ben White is firmly a part of Graham Potter’s long-term plans at Brighton and Hove Albion, as they prepare for a potential departure of either Lewis Dunk or Shane Duffy.
White signed for Leeds on a season-long loan in the summer and immediately helped to cover the blow of losing star defender Pontus Jansson to Brentford following some stunning defensive displays alongside Liam Cooper.
Having previously played at Newport County and Peterborough United, this stint at Elland Road has presented White with his first experience of Championship football and he has taken to it like a duck to water.
With this strong display so far, White has been an ever-present at the heart of Marcelo Bielsa’s defence and deservedly attracted strong interest from the Premier League, with his loan due to expire at the end of the season.
Having not missed a single league game, the Seagulls are happy to see White remain at Elland Road this season and have no recall option, due to his game time being so assured for Leeds.
The Athletic have reported that Potter wants White to remain on the South Coast for the foreseeable future and will utilise him at the heart of his defence, as they anticipate current pair Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy might depart after their solid performances this season.
This hasn’t stopped teams from forming a queue for his signature to test Brighton’s resolve for him in the summer, with a number of top Premier League clubs being credited with an interest in him in recent months.
However, Brighton’s stance on the talented centre-back has remained the same throughout the season, as Graham Potter believes he is firmly a part of his long-term plans at the AMEX Stadium.
Can you remember Leeds' first 12 results of the season?
The verdict
White has been immense in Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season and has been a massive reason for why they currently find themselves in the top two.
It’s been a rapid rise for White this season with growing calls that he could make it into Gareth Southgate’s England squad before long, along with Premier League football only being half a season away as he will most certainly be at either Brighton, Leeds or at any other team that would happily bring him in.
Potter is rightly standing firm on White’s current situation at Leeds, as he would certainly fit right into the project he is currently building at the AMEX.
Brighton’s nerve will be tested in the summer as multiple clubs will look to bring him in, but all signs currently point towards a long-term future with the Seagulls.