Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has revealed the disappointment Ben White suffered as a permanent move to Elland Road fell through this summer.
23-year-old White was a key member of Leeds’ Championship title winning side last season, which saw the Yorkshire club gain promotion to the Premier League and end a 16-year hiatus away from England’s top flight.
Appearing in no less than 49 games last term in all competitions, White was centre of interest from a number of clubs over the summer, with Leeds keen to pursue a permanent move for the defender.
Also gaining interest from Liverpool, White eventually stayed with Brighton, leaving Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa to find a suitable replacement, something the Argentine seems to have done in Robin Koch, who arrived from SC Freiburg.
What has Phillips said regarding White’s future?
Phillips, who like White played an important part for Leeds last term, has now opened up about a recent conversation he had with his former team-mate regarding a failed permanent move to Elland Road.
Talking to the Leeds That podcast, Phillips said: “I spoke to Ben after his game the other day. Obviously, he was gutted at the time when he didn’t sign, but it came to a point where you have to just forget about the chance to play for Leeds and just play football.
“I don’t really talk to him about football now, just ask how he and his family are doing.”
White has appeared in all six of Brighton’s Premier League games this season thus far after his summer return to the Seagulls.
What does the future hold for White?
Such good consistency last term for Leeds has seen White’s reputation go from strength to strength and the interest shown by the likes of Liverpool further enhances that.
A full Premier League season with Brighton could see his quality come through once more and it will be of no surprise if the likes of Leeds and Jurgen Klopp come back in for him either in January or next summer.
For now, Leeds have settled with Robin Koch, who has been performing very well and that comfort has softened the blow of White not returning.
Can you see White returning to Leeds in the future? Let us know in the comments section below…
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