Former Leeds United forward Eddie Gray has backed Ben White to be a target of some of the Premier League’s top clubs, amid recent links with Manchester United and Liverpool.
Gray has been speaking on the Talking Shutt Podcast, and shared his surprise that a move to a top-flight heavyweight has not already come to fruition, as the young centre-half has incredible potential.
White has been one of the stars of our season since joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, with the 22-year-old the only outfield United player to have featured for every minute of Championship action available to him thus far.
The Poole-born defender has also made the most successful tackles of any centre-half in the second-tier after the opening 16 games of the campaign, with White credited with 30 successful efforts from 33 tackles by WhoScored.
He has registered the most interceptions by a centre-back in the Championship with 46 as well – ten more than Bristol City’s second-placed Taylor Moore – and ranks fourth for total passes played with 952 – the most of any Leeds player.
Whites’ efforts have attracted the interest of both Manchester United and Liverpool, according to The Athletic, with Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League leaders understood to hold a real interest in his services while the Red Devils are sending scouts to Elland Road.
Is White ready for a top Premier League side?
Yes
No
And Gray, who lifted two top-flight crowns with us, cannot quite comprehend that a club of the calibre of either Liverpool or Manchester United have not already tempted Brighton with an offer for White.
“There’s no doubt that one of the most popular players in the last few seasons at Elland Road has been Pontus Jansson. When Pontus fell out with him [Marcelo Bielsa] or whatever, he [White] was on his way. He’s got a great belief in what he does,” said Gray.
“He brings a young centre-half in now who’s playing tremendously. It just surprises me some of the big teams in the Premiership haven’t bought him. It really does, because I think he looks as if he’s going to be top class.”