ALBION have rebuffed two offers from newly-promoted Leeds United for defender Ben White, it has been reported.
The Yorkshire club made an unsuccessful bid of £18.5 million for the centre-back before tabling a second offer of £22 million, Sky Sports claims.
The improved fee was also rejected by the Seagulls.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Elland Road and enjoyed a sparkling campaign with the Whites, making 46 appearances.
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He helped Leeds keep 22 clean sheets and claim the Championship title by ten points, seeing the club return to the Premier League for the first time since 2003.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has been full of praise for the player on several occasions and is keen to keep him at Leeds.
And the club's fans are so determined for White to stay that they managed to get the #freebenwhite tag trending on Twitter yesterday, urging Albion to let the defender leave.
But a series of stand-out performances from White did not go unnoticed, and there has been widespread speculation surrounding his future ahead of next season.
Alongside interest from Leeds, it has been rumoured that Chelsea are also interested in signing White and are willing to surpass offers from other Premier League clubs.
READ MORE>>>Albion remain relaxed about Ben White as plans take shape
The London club have not been swayed by a £40 million price tag put on the defender by Albion, TalkSport reported, and could look to White as a solution to their questionable defensive record.
The Blues conceding the highest number of goals of any team in the top half of the Premier League table last season, finishing with 54 goals against them - 21 more than champions Liverpool.
Chelsea are also said to be monitoring Albion captain Lewis Dunk, as well as targeting Manchester City centre-back John Stones as they look to bolster their back line.
But, shortly after the transfer window opened on July 27, Albion indicated that Ben White was not for sale.
The defender’s current contract will keep him at the Amex until 2022, and The Argus learned the club will tell suitors they are relaxed about White’s contract situation and have no intention of selling him.
READ MORE>>>Ben White thanks Leeds fans for the memories
It is understood that the Seagulls will also look to improve White’s terms after his impressive loan season at Leeds.
The club have made an electric start in the transfer market this summer.
Despite the window only being 15 days old, Albion fans will see at least three new faces at the Amex next season.
The services of Premier League champion Adam Lallana were secured first.
The midfielder agreed a three-year deal with Albion after his reaching the end of his contract with Liverpool.
Also a Champions League winner, Lallana’s arrival was hailed as a “real show of intent” by fans and head coach Graham Potter was full of praise for the 32-year-old.
He said: “To have both his experience and quality out on the pitch will be a great addition for us, and I know he will be an excellent role model for our younger players in the squad.”
Ajax defender Joel Veltman was the next player to put pen to paper at the Amex, arriving for a fee of little more than 900,000.
READ MORE>>>Albion plan to keep Ben White 'for a number of years'
The gifted Dutch defender’s arrival is believed to have been a long time in the making, with Albion’s head of recruitment Paul Winstanley, who has been on the case for two years plus.
Through this tireless work, he was able to establish that there was a release clause in Veltman’s contract and secure his services for such a low fee.
The most recent arrival to the Sussex club is Lars Dendoncker, younger brother of Wolves’ defensive midfielder Leander Dendoncker.
The 19-year-old, from Belgium, has signed with Simon Rusk’s under-23s and described his move to Albion as an “easy choice”.
He said: “I’m very happy to be a Brighton player, it’s a lovely set-up which made it an easy choice to sign for the club.
“Graham Potter uses young players and that attracted me.
“Also, the stadium and training ground are fantastic.”
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