Brighton decline 'generous' cash offer for Ben White from young Leeds United backer - sort of

Transfer bids and offers arrive in all shapes and sizes but few so heartfelt as the one Brighton received from this young Leeds United fan.
Ben White has caught the eye of many Leeds United fans this seasonBen White has caught the eye of many Leeds United fans this season
Ben White has caught the eye of many Leeds United fans this season

Five-year-old Daniel Auton is a keen follower of Leeds and his favourite player this season is Brighton loanee Ben White.

Daniel carefully saved his pocket-money this year and then hand-wrote a letter to Brighton offering his full piggy bank of £15.07 to buy White for Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Addressing Brighton's chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber, Daniel wrote: "I am 5 years old and I am a Leeds Utd fan. I am writing this letter to you regarding a player of yours who is currently on loan with us.

Daniel's letter and generous cash offer to Brighton and the club's responseDaniel's letter and generous cash offer to Brighton and the club's response
Daniel's letter and generous cash offer to Brighton and the club's response

"The player in question is my favourite player Ben White. If at all possible can we please, please, please buy Ben at the end of the season. I have counted all my pennies in my piggy bank and I have £15.07 if this helps."

Barber was impressed with Daniel's keen eye to spot a talented player and also his generosity.

Brighton wrote back and said: "Thank you for your letter with your generous offer to help your favourite club Leeds United to buy our player Ben White.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It's very good of you to offer all your money to help your club, and you clearly have a very good eye for exceptional young talent - perhaps scouting players could be your future job!

"We have given your kind offer the serious consideration it deserves but I know our head coach Graham Potter, and our technical director Dan Ashworth, both consider Ben to be a very important part of our future plans so I'm afraid we are unable to sell Ben to Leeds United at this time.

"We do however thank you once again for taking the time to write to us, Daniel, and we wish you and your family, and all at Leeds United, all the best for when we can start to play and watch football again.

"In the meantime, we hope that you and your family keep safe and well."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whether or not Daniel will return with a higher bid is at this stage unknown.

White, 22, is valued at around the £30m mark. He has been a standout performer in the Championship this season for Leeds.

His loan spell at Elland Road is due to end in May and he is contracted with Albion until June 2022.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.