Manchester United join the race to sign £50m rated defender: A wise move by the club?

Manchester United are the latest club reportedly interested in signing Brighton centre-back, Ben White.

White spent last season on loan at Leeds United in the Championship, and helped the Whites in their successful promotion chase to the Premier League.

As per The Sun, Leeds’ bid of £35 million was rejected by the Seagulls, who are holding out for over £50 million for the 22-year-old.

The report states that Manchester United, along with Chelsea, Tottenham, Leicester City and Liverpool are also interested in the English central defender.

Brighton aren’t interested in selling White, and will only be tempted to let him leave if a bid of more than £50 million comes in. The centre-back has two years remaining on his current deal at Brighton.

Ben White to Manchester United – A wise move by the club?

Ben White had a fantastic 2019-20 season for Leeds United and was one of their best defenders in the campaign. The 22-year-old played every game of the season for Leeds, who finished at the top of the 2019-20 Championship table.

The young defender reads the game well, is good in the air, and is a solid passer of the ball as well, which has resulted in interest from numerous clubs in the Premier League.

White, who has never played in the Premier League, and has made just two appearances for Brighton, could be an important part of the Seagulls’ 2020-21 campaign, if captain Lewis Dunk leaves them. Dunk has been linked with a move to Chelsea (h/t Mirror).

But, Manchester United’s interest in him, at such an inflated price tag, is baffling. The Red Devils may need a better option than Victor Lindelof alongside Harry Maguire, a defender who is quicker than the United captain.

While White is quick, has good interception skills, and is a player who could potentially be a big star in the Premier League, he has zero experience of playing in England’s top-flight, and would be a risky signing.

Prior to his loan spell at Leeds, White had played in League Two and League One, and that experience foes not come close to the Premier League.

While the Championship is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, it’s no Premier League either. The Red Devils should maybe make a move for him if he has a solid 2020-21 Premier League campaign, and managed to live up to the hype and replicate his performance of last season.

Manchester United also have to make additions in other areas of the pitch, so spending a considerable amount of their transfer budget on White may not be the smartest of moves.