Ex-Leeds United shot-stopper Paul Robinson admits Liverpool FC are in pole position to secure the signing of wantaway defender Ben White. The centre-back, who played the 2019-20 season on loan at Leeds United from Brighton, is rumoured to have attracted interest from the Reds ahead of next season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are in dire need of a centre-back option following Dejan Lovren’s departure this summer. The Croatian signed for Zenit last month after having spent much of last season on the fringes of the first-team squad. Klopp, as a result, needs to dip into the transfer market for further defensive reinforcement for his side.
White enjoyed a fantastic season for Leeds United over the past year. Marco Bielsa’s side ensured promotion to the Premier League after a gap of 16 long years. And the 22-year old centre-back certainly played a major role in his loan club’s promotional campaign.
Robinson, however, subjected the Brighton loanee to indeed very high praise. The former goalkeeper stated that White would arrive at Anfield as a guaranteed starter alongside Virgil van Dijk.
“I think he would start straight away alongside Van Dijk,”
“White would be a shoo-in with Van Dijk to start. He would start the season and you would not get him out. He did not miss a game for Leeds last year.”
It has to be noted that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have established themselves as first-choice options to be paired alongside the Dutchman in recent times. Both players have been fantastic for the Reds over the course of their league-title winning campaign last season.
Brighton are believed to be wanting a £35 million bid to let White depart the Amex this summer. The price-tag may seem a bit inflated considering the centre-back’s lack of exposure to the Premier League. However, Jurgen Klopp is keen on securing White’s signing to further strengthen his current squad depth.
