Ben White signs new contract with Brighton after 'brilliant' season with Leeds United

Brighton defender Ben White has put pen to paper on a new four-year contract following strong interest from Leeds United this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa was keen on bringing the 22-year-old back to Elland Road before October's transfer deadline and saw a number of bids knocked back for the defender.

United endeavoured to lure him to West Yorkshire on a permanent basis after a hugely successful loan spell at the club, having helped Leeds earn promotion to the Premier League as Championship winners last term.

Leeds submitted a final offer of £25m plus add ons last month for his services, but the Seagulls dismissed their attempts to swoop for White seeing them as rivals for the campaign ahead.

White turned down a number of fresh contract offers at the Amex stadium but after United moved on to land Freiburg centre-back Robin Koch for £13m, he has now agreed a new four-year deal on the south coast.

Head coach Graham Potter said: “I have been looking forward to working with Ben for a long time. He was a player I was well aware of, even before I came to the club.

“He has gradually stepped up the EFL divisions, with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United.

“He had a brilliant season helping Leeds to the title last season, and now he has the opportunity to show his qualities in the Premier League.

“We are delighted to have agreed a new long-term contract with him, and I am sure our supporters will be looking forward to watching him play for the club.”

Bielsa is also said to be chasing Dinamo Zagreb's Josko Gvardiol, 18, in a bid to bolster his defensive ranks after Leeds smashed their transfer record for Valencia forward Rodrigo in a deal worth £27m plus add ons last weekend.

United are also reportedly in talks with Udinese for midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, which could again see the club spend big this summer ahead of their return to the top flight on September 12.

Rangers winger Ryan Kent is also of interest to the Elland Road club, but Leeds are yet to submit a fresh offer for the forward having seen one bid turned down by Steven Gerrard already.