Barber has thanked Leeds for developing him last season during his loan spell at Elland Road, but he has made it clear that Brighton have no intention of selling the 22-year-old central defender.
According to a report in The Sun earlier this month, Leeds want to sign the youngster on a permanent contract this summer.
The same report in the British tabloid claimed that Tottenham have asked the Seagulls how much it will cost to sign White.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City also reportedly want the central defender.
Barber told talkSPORT: “We have no intention of selling Ben White. He’s a terrific young player, the whole point of him going out on loan was to develop him in League Two, League One and the Championship.
“Leeds did a fantastic job helping us to develop him, but we’re looking forward to Ben playing for us in the Premier League and certainly that’s what he’ll be doing.
“We haven’t got any interest in selling Ben; he’s in training with the squad and we’re looking forward to seeing him action in blue and white stripes very soon.”
Blow for Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur
Barber’s comments suggest that Leeds and Tottenham will fail to sign White this summer, and perhaps they should move on.
It will be a blow for the Elland Road outfit and for Spurs, as White is a very good defender who can only improve and get better in the coming years.
According to a report in Leeds Live, Leeds are close to signing defender Robin Koch from Freiburg, which suggests that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have moved on from White after having three bids for the defender turned down, as reported by Sky Sports.
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