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Ben White has been a mainstay in Leeds' starting
XI this season, and the on-loan defender has played a key role
in helping the Whites amass 18 clean sheets so far this campaign.
With Marcelo Bielsa's men seemingly destined for the Premier League,
the club is understandably keen to secure the talented 22-year
old on a permanent deal, however, his future remains uncertain
with a plethora
of clubs including Liverpool believed to be keeping tabs on
the Poole-born star. If the West Yorkshire outfit isn't able to
get their man this summer, then they must prioritise defensive
reinforcements. Let's take a look at three defenders who could
potentially fit the bill. Ben White has become a fan favourite at
Leeds during his loan spell from Brighton If Brentford isn't able to join Leeds in the top flight next
season, then the Bees will be resigned to losing the majority
of their assets. Whilst Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins appear
destined to leave West London once the transfer window opens,
Ethan Pinnock may also have done enough to merit a big-money move.
The former Forest Green Rovers man has formed a formidable partnership
with former Leeds man Pontus Jansson, and with Thomas Frank's
side having kept four consecutive clean sheets since the restart,
clubs are slowly beginning to sit up and take notice of the 27-year
old. He is calm on the ball and is able to play it out from the back,
a quality which fits in with Bielsa's preferred style, and although
he may take a few weeks to get up to speed in the Premier League,
his imposing stature should allow him to flourish in the top flight. Although they are likely to face a battle for his signature,
Leeds could potentially test the water with a bid for Bournemouth's
Nathan Ake. The Cherries are reportedly looking to offload several
players this summer including the former Chelsea defender. Several
top six clubs are reportedly interested in the Dutchman, and although
he may be a costly purchase, if the Whites are serious about retaining
their Premier League status next season, they simply must push
the boat out. It hasn't been the easiest season for the defender, who has struggled
to hit the heights of the 2018-19 campaign, and if the Cherries
drop into the Championship this summer, he is likely to be one
of the first players to leave the south coast club. Eddie Howe's
men are now the 1/16 favourite in PaddyPower's
Premier League relegation odds, and with Manchester City and
Leicester yet to play, they look destined for the second tier. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Rangers ace Joe Worrall wanted
by English Premier League side to bolster leaky defencehttps://t.co/9WCmdSd9qv
pic.twitter.com/AS5XFSAX6g
Once again, this transfer will depend on the progress of play-off
hopefuls Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees will be hoping to
keep hold of the 23-year old, although with West Ham already reportedly
eyeing up a summer move for the Hucknall-born defender, they may
face a battle to retain his services, if they aren't able to secure
promotion at the end of July. Worrall is still prone to the occasional error, he has come on
leaps and bounds this season, and has been an ever-present in
a defence which has kept 14 clean sheets and been breached on
just 41 occasions. His experience of working under Steven Gerrard
at Rangers has clearly benefited his development and with the
guidance of Bielsa and his coaching staff, he could easily become
a fan favourite at Elland Road. Although the future of Ben White remains uncertain, the club
must have plans in place to fall back on, if Brighton is unwilling
to part with the young defender. Although Leeds' back-line is
likely to come under significant pressure next season, all three
of these players will give the club a little more solidity in
defence and should be added to the list of transfer targets this
summer.
Our EFL pundits asses why he is set to be a star of the future
in English football ??
Ethan Pinnock
Nathan Ake
Joe Worrall