Leeds United’s season is on hold for the foreseeable future with serious doubts over whether or not the current campaign will even be resumed.

They sit top of the Championship table with a seven-point cushion over those in the playoff positions, and with only nine games remaining the Whites are in a very strong position to gain promotion to the Premier League.

It’ll be the first time back in the English top-flight since the 2004 season, so it’d be quite the historic occasion if they pull it off.

Earlier this week, former Leeds forward Noel Whelan has urged the club to try and complete a deal for Brighton loan star Ben White at the end of the season.

He said: “He will cost a lot of money, but he would be worth it, that’s for sure. He’s got every kind of attribute you want from a centre-half in the modern game.”

But can the west Yorkshire side complete a deal for him? Our writers assess the claim…

Viji Jeevathayalan

“Signing Ben White on a permanent basis would be a big show of trust from Bielsa. If Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League is eventually confirmed, then they will be indebted in part to the performances of their loanee. As per Whoscored, his average match rating of 7.05 places him fifth amongst all of his Leeds teammates, and is an accurate reflection of just how influential and consistent he has been for them. There is certainly an argument to be made that reaching the top-flight should see the club splash out big-money on new signings, but securing White on a longer-term deal would be a major coup for Orta. The centre-back has helped massively in Leeds’ charge for promotion this season, and he absolutely deserves to be signed permanently.”

Matt Dawson

“Victor Orta could seal Leeds’ best signing since Ferdinand by landing Ben White on a permanent basis. The Whites have been languishing in the second-tier for quite some time but signing the central defender would be a mighty statement of intent if they achieve promotion. Ferdinand arrived for a then club-record fee and it’s likely it would take something similar to snatch White away from Brighton. The ball-playing centre-back has been a colossal presence at the back for Leeds this term, winning 2.8 of his aerial duels and also completing 85.3% of his passes. It’s hardly surprising he’s been valued at £25m and chased by a number of Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal.

“£25m was enough to buy Tyrone Mings last summer so there’s no real reason why Leeds wouldn’t be able to push incredibly hard for his signature. It just depends on where the player sees his development. He has already progressed under Marcelo Bielsa immensely so he owes him at least a few more terms at Elland Road if they can convince him. Given the clubs he’s been linked with, also being labelled better than John Stones, it would be a transfer that bursts Yorkshire into a cacophony of noise – just as Ferdinand’s acquisition did all those years ago.”

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Charles Jones

“Leeds should definitely be after signing Ben White, but whether or not they can is another question.

“The defender has been a revelation at Elland Road, and the fact that Leeds have the best defence in the division while he’s started every game speaks volumes.

“However, after such a brilliant season you can’t imagine Brighton would be jumping at the chance to sell him, and Leeds need to make sure they’re not caught out by that.

“The Seagulls know just how good he’s been, and teams such as Liverpool are sniffing around him, but Leeds simply can’t afford to compete with clubs of that stature for a player’s signature.

“United need to go for him if he’s available for a decent fee, but if they’re having to cough up the sort of money Liverpool usually pay for a player, then they should really look elsewhere as he’s still never had any Premier League experience.”

Lewis Blain

“It’ll be hard to pull off but Leeds absolutely must do all they can to secure Ben White’s services next season. Brighton reportedly value him at £20m which is a mere scratch on the finances they’ll gain from promotion – Villa earned in excess of £170m for example so splashing a fraction of that on a phenomenal talent like White is a no-brainer. The centre-back position will be Bielsa’s Achilles heel this summer with Gaetano Berardi out of contract and Liam Cooper always injured. Therefore it’s a hugely wise move to land the 22-year-old so that he can spend time looking for an experienced top-flight partner instead of trying to fill both positions.”

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