View: West Brom may inadvertently ruin Leeds chances of re-signing White based on latest reports
West Brom could ruin Leeds United’s hopes of re-signing Ben White this summer amid reports that the Baggies are interested in Shane Duffy.
According to the Daily Mail, Albion have been in talks with Brighton about a deal for the 28-year-old centre-back.
Graham Potter has way too many centre-backs in his squad at the moment with Brighton recently signing Joel Veltman from Ajax and White returning from his season-long loan at Leeds.
The Seagulls also have Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster, Dan Burn, Leo Ostigard and Matt Clarke on their books so it is fair to say that the south coast club could do with trimming down their options in that area of the squad.
However, Brighton’s stance on White seems pretty clear with Sky Sports reporting that they have rejected a £22million bid by Leeds for the centre-back, who shone in the Championship last season as the Yorkshire club won promotion back to the Premier League.
Brighton are also said to have offered White multiple chances to sign a new contract as they step up their attempts to keep hold of a defender who has been tipped to play for England in the near future.
West Brom need to strengthen their defence ahead of next season.
Since dropping into the Championship, Albion’s defence has not exactly convinced supporters and Ahmed Hegazi has been linked with a move away from The Hawthorns.
An experienced Premier League defender like Duffy could be a handy acquisition for Bilic and if a deal is struck, Albion could inadvertently ruin Leeds’ hopes of landing White again.
You’d expect Brighton to loan out defenders like Clarke and Ostigard, who both spend last season out on loan.
They will then be left with White, Veltman, Dunk, Webster and Burn.
If you were Brighton, you’d probably want to sell the latter two ahead of White and Dunk.
Sorry, Leeds. But if the Baggies strike a deal for Duffy it’s nothing against you.
It’s the fact that we could really do with a strong addition in that area of the pitch to help avoid relegation next season.
In other West Brom news, Albion chiefs have held talks over signing this Croatia international who Bilic has previously managed.
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