Leeds United must include option to buy in any Ben White deal or risk repeat of Kyle Bartley situation

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Leeds United are in the hunt for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White. As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds have been monitoring the player for 18 months and Marcelo Bielsa is said to be a big fan of the player after watching footage of him in action.

Brighton have plenty of centre-back options ahead of White in the pecking order, including regular pairing Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk, so Leeds should easily be able to get this deal done.

However, the club make sure it is the right deal for them.

Leeds must try all they can to secure a potential permanent deal option into any loan agreement.

The 21-year-old is a top talent and has shown that in loan spells with Newport County and Peterborough.

Were Leeds to bring him in and he thrives, the chances are they could find themselves in another Kyle Bartley situation. The defender edned up returning to Swansea after a stellar season at Elland Road. One year later, West Brom snapped him up with Leeds nowhere in sight.

If Leeds are smart they should settle a fee for a potential permanent deal with Brighton at the end of the season should White become a featured member of the Elland Road squad.

If not, Leeds risk this simply being yet another short-term solution.