Jermaine Beckford says signing Ben White should be Leeds United's number one priority this summer.
On-loan centre-back White put in an assured performance in midfield for the Whites in their 1-0 win over Barnsley on Thursday evening to leave Leeds on the brink of promotion back to the Premier League.
White's performances for Leeds this season have created plenty of speculation over his future, with parent club Brighton & Hove Albion keen to keep him.
Yet former Whites striker Beckford says that the club need to make the 22-year-old a top priority this summer.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Beckford heaped praise on White's ability on the ball.
He said: "I think he’s been phenomenal this season for Leeds United.
"At the back, I wouldn’t say there’s been many - if any - better centre-halves than him.
"He controls the game really well, he reads it really well. He’s a physical player, he puts his foot through the ball when he needs to, but he also calms the play as well and he’ll pick out beautiful passes, as we saw in a few of those clips.
"He doesn’t mind doing a five-yard pass, or a 25-yard pass, he’s very comfortable with all of them. Make that number one priority."
Another former Whites striker, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agreed revealing White will undoubtedly be in the Premier League next season.
He said: "Whatever you say, Ben White is a brilliant player. Still young, still learning the game.
"He’s done exceptionally well this year as a centre-half. But you have the whole game in front of you.
"You see the game differently. He’s playing as a defensive midfielder, it’s a different ball game. You have more of the ball, but the space is less. In those positions, he’s very comfortable.
"He’s going to be a very good player and a Premiership player. That position, defensive midfield, it’s not really his position and you can’t judge him like you would with Kalvin Phillips."
