Leeds United will be keen on making Ben White’s loan move from Brighton permanent this summer but could have a difficult task in doing so.
The 22-year-old was impressive during the Whites’ memorable season as they earned promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16-years, lifting the Championship trophy while doing so.
His performances have led to making a play to try and get the defender back permanently ahead of their return to the top division in just under a month’s time.
Brighton, however, are determined to keep their player and are said to have already rejected two bids from Leeds for the player.
But it is not only that that may stand in the way of White returning to Elland Road, with his performances also attracting the eyes of a number of other Premier League clubs, including the Champions Liverpool.
Should the Whites be unable to get a deal for the loanee over the line, then they will have to move onto other targets as they search for a replacement to live up to the standards that White set at the club.
But, as pointed out by a fan on Reddit , Marcelo Bielsa has previous for spotting defensive talent, which is an encouraging sign for Leeds.
Back in 2015, the Whites boss, who was then in charge of Marseille, was credited with an interest in 17-year-old defender Dayot Upamecano who was playing in the youth team French side Valencienne, before making a move to RB Salzburg.
Now 21-year-old and with RB Leipzig, the defender is one of the most sought after centre-backs in Europe, with teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal linked.
He impressed as Leipzig made it past Atletico Madrid and into the semi-final of the Champions League this week.
While Upamecano himself won’t be making a summer switch to Elland Road, the past link shows the eye for talent that Bielsa has when looking to add players to his squad.
Leeds fans will be hoping that the manager can find somebody with just as much potential this summer ahead of their Premier League return.
