Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter has revealed that he tried to sign highly-rated youngster Ben White during his spell at Swansea City.
White, who’s currently on loan at Leeds United from the Seagulls, has attracted plenty of plaudits following a series of hugely impressive performances in West Yorkshire.
The 22-year-old is tipped for the very top by those in the know, with Manchester United and Liverpool both reportedly taking an interest.
And Potter, who recently signed a new six-year deal at the Amex, clearly shares the enthusiasm around White’s talents, adding that the centre-back was on his radar back when he was Swansea boss.
He told the Argus : “There is all sorts of talk, as we know, but the reality of it is he is our player and he has got a future with us and we are looking forward to having him back at the right time and go from there. He is a player we like a lot.
“We were aware of him when I was at Swansea.
“We were probably one of the clubs who would have tried to get him on loan if we were still there.
“I know his quality. He had a loan spell at Newport and we were aware of his progress and tracked him for quite some time, actually.
“If you see how he plays, the attributes he has fit us.
“He is at Leeds now. He is on loan. You let that run and settle down at the end of the season. He is at Leeds and doing a good job there.”
Swansea's centre-back issues have been brought into focus in recent weeks, with Joe Rodon ruled out until January with injury, while Mike van der Hoorn was replaced at half-time in the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
Ben Wilmot and Ben Cabango could be the defensive pairing to face Fulham on Friday evening.
