Manchester United transfer target Ben White has admitted he idolised Rio Ferdinand while growing up.
The Brighton centre-back has been called into England's 26-man squad for this summer's European Championship, replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. It follows another excellent season for the 23-year-old, after he went on loan to Leeds in 2019/20 and helped them win promotion, before returning to the Seagulls.
MEN Sport understands White is among United's centre-back targets for the summer ahead, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to recruit a partner for Harry Maguire at the back.
White was among the England players to speak on a Three Lions 'media day' as Gareth Southgate's squad prepare to begin their tournament campaign. He spoke about his own defensive style and which players he's modelled himself on.
"I think it is a little bit of everyone, trying to pick little bits out of each defender," said White. "Obviously watching the Premier League every week you can see the different types of players and pick different things out of each player."
Pressed to name one certain player, he added: "Rio Ferdinand, that was the one for me."
White then admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with his call-up, having initially planned to go on holiday rather than feature in the Euros.
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He added: "It's been very surreal, obviously I didn't think this was going to be happening. I thought I was going to be somewhere hot, in Portugal or something like that,
"It's mind-blowing really I didn't expect any of this to happen, even being in the 33-man squad was enough for me. To make it to the final squad was unbelievable."
