Leeds United’s attempts to sign Ben White have “hit a brick wall” with Brighton maintaining that the centre back is not for sale, Daily Mirror journalist David Anderson has claimed.
Having played a crucial role in Leeds’ Championship title triumph while on loan at Elland Road last season, White has been heavily linked with a return to Yorkshire on a longer-term basis this summer.
It has previously been reported that Leeds have had two bids for the centre back rejected by Brighton, and it seems as though hopes of a reunion are now starting to rapidly decrease.
According to Anderson’s latest update, the club’s pursuit of White appears to be at something of a standstill, due to Brighton’s insistence that White will not leave the club this summer.
The update goes on to state that while Leeds will not rule out a move for White in the future should Brighton’s stance change, the club are now looking at other options to fill the gap in the centre of their defence.
Leeds’ bid to re-sign Ben White has hit a brick wall because Brighton insist he is not for sale. Leeds are leaving the door open should Brighton’s stance change, but are actively looking at other centre-half targets. #lufc
— David Anderson (@MirrorAnderson) August 19, 2020
Given the contribution he made to the club last season and the relationship developed with the fans at that time, it would be sad not to see White back in a Leeds shirt next season.
This however, feels like the right approach for the club to take with regards to assessing other options.
There is now just a few weeks to go until the Premier League gets underway, and the hole in the centre of defence that has been left by White is yet to be filled.
As a result, the club cannot waste time putting all their eggs in one basket in respect of White here, as they simply must get someone into partner Liam Cooper at centre back for that opening game of the season, lest they risk a slow start they may not be able to afford, and with little progress with White, that means they may well have to turn to someone else to do that.