Leeds United are looking at Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis as they prepare for life without Ben White at Elland Road, according to the Daily Star.
While that #FreeBenWhite campaign is little more than social media tomfoolery, an avalanche of Tweets from love-struck Leeds fans just shows how highly-regarded the Brighton-owned defender is in West Yorkshire.
White was perhaps the best player in the best team in the 2019/20 Championship season.
But convincing Brighton to let the 22-year-old return, either on loan or on a permanent basis, is proving easier said than done.
Graham Potter has made it clear that White is a key part of his plans.
And the Seagulls were never likely to sell such a talented footballer, one who fits into Potter’s style like a tailored Armani suit, to a potential relegation rival.
So if Harwood-Bellis follows in Jack Harrison’s footsteps and joins Leeds on loan for the 2020/21 season, the Stockport-born 18-year-old would have big boots to fill.
However, as you might expect given that Harwood-Bellis is rated extremely highly by none other than Pep Guardiola, this is a player with attitude and ability far beyond his tender years.
“I was impressed,” Guardiola told Goal after the teenager shone during City’s 2019 pre-season tour. “Taylor was so good.”
Harwood-Bellis made four first-team appearances last season, scoring his maiden senior goal in a 4-1 FA Cup victory over Port Vale in January.
Given that Guardiola’s admiration for Marcelo Bielsa is very well documented, do not be surprised if the City boss is happy to entrust his old mentor with one of his most talented youngsters.
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