PL club refuse to sell £40m-rated star defender amid Chelsea interest

Brighton unwilling to sell Chelsea target Ben White

According to a report from The Sun, Brighton & Hove Albion will not offload defender Ben White, who has emerged as a target for Chelsea along with Leeds United and Liverpool.

The 22-year-old White came through the youth ranks at Brighton and has had loan spells away at Newport County and Peterborough United previously. However, it was his time at Leeds in 2019/20 that has put him firmly on the map as one of the best young defenders in Europe.

White was an integral member of the Leeds United team as they secured promotion to the Premier League after 16 years. Seeing his exploits with the Whites, Chelsea have registered an interest in the Englishman.

Our defence had a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, shipping the most number of goals by any team in the top half of the Premier League table.

With none of the central defenders performing at a high level on a consistent basis, bringing in a new centre-half should be a priority for Frank Lampard.

While Declan Rice is seen as the priority target, White is seen as a cheaper alternative to the West Ham man. The 22-year-old, valued at £40m, has two years left on his current contract with the Seagulls. And manager Graham Potter is keen on holding onto White ahead of the next term. (h/t The Sun)

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White may not have a great deal of experience at the highest level. But he has displayed great potential in his burgeoning career. He could have been a quality addition to the ranks. But it seems like Brighton will not be selling the 22-year-old in this transfer window.