Tottenham Hotspur are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing highly-rated Brighton centre-half Ben White this summer, according to the Daily Mail – but concluding a deal for the defender seems unlikely in my opinion.
The 22-year-old starred while on loan at Leeds United last season, helping fire the Yorkshire outfit into the top flight, with his impressive performances leading to plenty of speculation over his future.
Looking at it objectively, White fits the profile of a Tottenham signing.
The defender is athletic, comfortable on the ball and has good footballing intelligence, while his age and homegrown status mean his capture would appeal to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Tottenham could certainly use a new central defender this summer, with the departure of club stalwart Jan Vertonghen leaving Jose Mourinho short of top-class options at the heart of the team’s rearguard.
But, with a recent report from Sky Sports stating that Brighton had rejected a £25 million offer for White from Leeds, the rising star’s transfer fee will surely prohibit an approach from Spurs.
Levy has shown willingness to spend relatively big when the right opportunity presents itself, but with other Premier League sides seemingly ready to go above and beyond to land the Brighton man, Tottenham will surely be priced out of any possible move for the defender.
While a back-up or alternative striking option would be a welcome addition to the Spurs ranks, the main priority should be defensive reinforcements in the next few weeks – but it seems unlikely that White will be moving to North London any time soon.