Leeds United are set to make a third bid in their attempts to secure the permanent signing of Brighton centre back Ben White, a report from The Daily Star has claimed.
White was outstanding for Leeds on loan last season, playing every minute of their Championship title-winning campaign, and the club have already made two attempts to bring the defender back to Elland Road on a permanent basis.
According to Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (08/08, 16:47), Leeds have seen two bids of £18.5million and £22million for White rejected by Brighton, although the 22-year-old was also said to have turned down two new contract offers at The Amex Stadium.
Now it seems as though Leeds have yet to give up in their pursuit of White, with the latest reports claiming that the club are set to make another offer in their attempts to secure long term deal for the defender.
It remains to be seen how much that offer will total, but it looks as though it will have to be a club-record fee if we are to White in Leeds shirt again, considering the offers that have already been knocked back.
As things stand, there are two years remaining on White’s current contract with Brighton, while Premier League champions Liverpool are also credited with an interest in the young defender.
Even so, this is encouraging to see from Leeds.
There is absolutely no surprise that they want White back at Elland Road for next season, and the fact that they are set to make a third bid for the centre back shows that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to strengthening their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.
However, it is clear that this is not going to be anything like a cheap deal, and with others areas of their squad needing new recruits as well, you feel Leeds have to be careful not to price themselves out of other potential signings with the amount they spend on White.