Brighton boss Graham Potter admitted it is ‘no surprise’ to see the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur showing an interest in defender Ben White ahead of the January transfer window, while speaking to the Argus.
You don’t need a PHD in economics to realise why the Seagulls rejected three bids from Leeds United – including one worth £25 million – for a talented centre-half who made one hell of an impression during a superb loan spell at Elland Road last term.
After all, why sell for £25 million when you can wait a year and, with a season of Premier League football under his belt, demand closer to £50 million when some of the biggest clubs in Europe come calling?
That is exactly what Brighton will do.
The Sun claimed a few weeks ago that White is valued at £50 million by the South Coast club, safe in the knowledge that big-money offers will be flooding in sooner rather than later amid interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United (Sky).
“I think it’s his age, his ability to defend with big space behind him, which isn’t so easy to do. He can pass the ball, he has got a range of pass, very athletic, brave,” Potter said when asked whether he was shocked to see White dominate the gossip columns once again.
“He has got a lot of attributes that are that are certainly very useful in the Premier League and it’s no surprise that there’s noise around him.”
Brighton face South Coast rivals Southampton on Monday night and White will be desperate to impress, having been released by the Saints at the age of just 16 back in 2014.
“I think it’s a lesson to every player because there will be lots of players at age 16 level getting released from clubs and it’s important to put things into perspective, to try to analyse the situation as clearly and fairly as you can,” Potter adds.
“He’s quite a level-headed guy, he’s an intelligent guy.”
Not only a superb defender, White also possesses the passing range of a cultured playmaker while proving himself to be more than capable in central midfielder when required.
Versatile, technically gifted and defensively astute; Potter is right. It is ‘no surprise’ that White has so many admirers.
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