Harte doesn’t think loanee will be at Leeds United next season

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Ian Harte has told Football League World that he does not think that Ben White will be at Leeds United next season.

The former Leeds star believes that Brighton and Hove Albion will keep White in their squad for the 2020-21 campaign.

The 22-year-old defender joined Leeds on a season-long loan deal from the Seagulls in the summer of 2019.

Harte told Football League World: “Every Leeds fan would love to get him back, but Brighton are the club that own him at the moment and he’s under contract with them.

“I think them (Brighton) bringing him back will only strengthen their team in the Premier League.

“The only way that he would leave Brighton is if someone is going to come in and spend £20-25m, otherwise Brighton are going to end up keeping him.

“I can’t see Leeds getting him back if I’m being honest. A player of his quality, he would help the current Brighton team.”

No return to Leeds United?

White has been superb for Leeds, who are at the top of the Championship table at the moment, with the season currently suspended due to the global health crisis.

While the Whites would love the youngster to be part of their team next season if they clinch automatic promotion to the Premier League, given the progress that the 22-year-old has made this campaign and his obvious quality, it is very likely that Brighton will make the youngster part of their team for the 2020-21 campaign even if big offers come in for him this summer.

Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth recently told the club’s official website that the Seagulls want to keep White for “a number of years”.

Meanwhile, Jay-Roy Grot has said that he plans to start pre-season with Leeds United.

The 22-year-old spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Vitesse.
Grot told De Gelderlander: “As it stands, I am starting the new season in England. With the pre-season at Leeds. And after that? Let’s see. For the time being, there is no football at all.”