Noel Whelan hopes Leeds can sign Ben White permanently

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Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 2/11; 17:24) that Ben White is a special player and expressed his hope that Leeds United can get promoted to give them a chance of signing the centre-back permanently.

White has proved to be an inspired signing for the league leaders. The Brighton loanee has been outstanding, and has helped Leeds keep the best defensive record in the Championship.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men have conceded just eight goals. The next best defence in the division meanwhile, has conceded 12.

And after watching Leeds keep another clean sheet on Saturday against Queens Park Rangers, Whelan insisted that he would love to see White stay beyond the end of his current loan deal.

“He’s a special player, isn’t he? He’s a special player,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “I know he doesn’t belong to us, I wish he did.

“That kid seems to have everything. If he does get us up to the Premier League, maybe there is a deal to be done. But I can imagine that he’s going to cost a lot of money, but he would be worth it.”

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It does appear that promotion is a must if Leeds hope to stand any chance of signing White permanently. It looks inevitable that he will be playing in the Premier League next year.

And Leeds will be hoping that his chance in the top flight does not come sooner. His parent club will surely be impressed with his form. And they would be foolish not to consider recalling him in January if they have the option.

But if White remains at Leeds for the duration of the season, then the Whites are almost certainly going to have a fantastic chance of sealing promotion this year.