Brighton boss Graham Potter makes his stance on Leeds United loan star Ben White crystal clear

Transfer rumours continue to circulate around Brighton defender Ben White with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City the latest Premier League club to be linked with a summer swoop for the Seagull.
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham PotterBrighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter insists Ben White will be a huge part of their plans for next season.

Centre-back White has excelled at Leeds since joining the club on a season-long loan last summer with the 22-year-old having played every minute of every league game so far as part of the best defence in the Championship.

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Leeds supporters would all love to see White sign permanently at Elland Road, having become such an important and popular figure in West Yorkshire.

White has even been tipped in some quarters for an imminent England call-up and several big name clubs in the Premier League - including Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be monitoring his progress.

But Potter says the Leeds loanee is featuring firmly in his thoughts for next season and has been impressed with White's progress. He also said he would have signed the defender for his former club Swansea City.

Asked if he had thought about how he may use White next season and if he was expecting him to be a big part of his plans, Potter said: "Absolutely, he’s been part of the discussions. We’re aware of how well he’s done and we're aware of his qualities.

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“As I’ve said before, we would have signed him if we were still at our previous club so we are aware of the journey he’s been on and it’s been a fantastic journey in terms of his loan experiences.

"He’s had a wonderful time at Leeds and at the same time we are aware of where his future may be.

"He's still got the season to finish with Leeds, he's still got a job to complete that loan spell and then we see from there."

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