Brighton chief makes Ben White stance clear to Leeds United but new contract remains unsigned

Brighton have rejected three summer offers from Leeds for the talented young defender who excelled at Elland Road during his season long-loan in the Championship last campaign.

White is contracted with Albion until 2022, with an option of another year, and it is understood the club recently offered vastly improved terms to his current deal.

So far the improved contract remains unsigned and while that's the case, Albion fans will be concerned and lurking Premier League giants will remain on high-alert.

Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with move for the classy centre half who can also operate as midfielder.

Brighton however are determined to integrate the £35m rated 22-year-old into the first team this season. White has played a full part in Albion's pre-season training and Barber fully expects him to be a key man as they prepare for their fourth consecutive season in the Premier League.

"He's a terrific young player," said Barber on talkSPORT. "The whole point of him going out on loan was to develop him in League Two, League One, the Championship. Leeds did a fantastic job in helping us develop him.

"We are looking forward to Ben playing for us in the Premier League and certainly that's what he will be doing.

"We haven't got any interest in selling Ben. He is training with the squad and we are looking forward to seeing him in action in blue and white stripes very soon."

On Wednesday White's agent Alex Levack confirmed that the Leeds deal is off the table but stopped short of saying he will remain at Brighton for next season.

“The latest is there are a lot of conversations happening," said Levack. “Unfortunately for Leeds fans, Ben’s just not going to be coming to Leeds.

“There’s conversations going on,” he added. “Ben’s away up in Scotland with the Brighton team for pre-season, getting himself fit, getting around the team.

“I would say watch this space over the next few days.”

White could be included in the Albion line-up this Saturday as they host Chelsea at the Amex Stadium for a pre-season friendly.

It's the first time fans will return to a football stadium in England following the coronavirus lockdown.

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