---
title: "Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa confirms Leeds wanted to buy Ben White for £30 million"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-marcelo-bielsa-ben-white-transfer-brighton-loan-elland-road-gossip-rumours-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-02-19T15:15:52Z"
modified: "2021-02-19T15:15:52Z"
---

# Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa confirms Leeds wanted to buy Ben White for £30 million

**Speaking to the press, as shared by journalist [Beren Cross](https://mobile.twitter.com/BerenCross/status/1362389525733982215), Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the ‘[little slice of information](https://mobile.twitter.com/BerenCross/status/1362389525733982215)‘ that Victor Orta and co wanted to sign Brighton defender Ben White for [£30 million](https://mobile.twitter.com/BerenCross/status/1362389525733982215) in the summer-autumn window – with the boss revealing this was the price that was knocked back by the Seagulls for his services.**

### Bielsa confirms £30m Leeds bid for White

White, who [thoroughly impressed for Leeds](https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/leeds/leeds-journalist-graham-smyth-heaps-praise-upon-ben-white) when on loan last season in the Championship, becoming a big part of their promotion-winning team, was at the centre of interest thereafter from Orta as he looked to strengthen Bielsa’s options.

As a result, the Whites tried to make his move permanent, but as Bielsa has now revealed, even a £30m bid was not enough and Leeds ‘[weren’t able to](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-diego-llorente-live-19864523)‘ bring him to Elland Road ([Leeds Live](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-diego-llorente-live-19864523)).

### Transfer Tavern take

An injury to star midfielder Kalvin Phillips has resulted in Leeds reportedly drawing up options ahead of the summer window ([Phil Hay](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1361223005783867394)), and White could be a good option to attempt a return for considering he can play both in defence and in central midfield.

Time will tell whether Bielsa approves a second swoop for White in the next transfer window, but judging by this news that £30m was not enough to sway Brighton, majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani may have to invest heavily.

***In other news: BBC pundit has reacted to Leeds exit reports, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-danny-mills-discusses-raphinha-following-transfer-rumours/)***