Leeds United are in the Premier League.
It’s been 16 years since that sentence could be written down but, finally, it has come true.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men marched to the Championship title in 2019/20, taking 93 points from their 46 games, and going unbeaten in their final eight matches in the competition.
They finished the season 10 points clear of second-placed West Bromwich Albion and 12 clear of beaten play-off finalists Brentford.
It spared them the agony of the play-offs, and plans are now underway to strengthen Bielsa’s squad in this transfer window.
Of course, Ben White enjoyed an exceptional season at Elland Road, playing every single minute of the club’s campaign.
He was on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and the Whites do not have a purchase option on the defender.
However, they have entered into talks with the Premier League club over a potential deal, per The Daily Telegraph.
Brighton value White at £30 million but they have signed Joel Veltman from Ajax, stocking their squad with six central defenders.
Leeds are set to continue negotiations with the Seagulls over a potential deal, and it remains to be seen if they can convince the 22-year-old to return to Elland Road.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This should be Leeds’ first priority in the summer transfer window.
They have turned the loan deals of Illan Meslier and Helder Costa into permanent transfers already and White ought to be next on the list.
He enjoyed a sparkling campaign in defence last term, emerging as a genuine star under the management of Bielsa.
He is an excellent ball-playing defender, as astute in possession as he is at winning it back.
A young defender with a remarkably high ceiling, he could be a genuinely brilliant acquisition but one has to wonder whether Brighton would be remiss in allowing him to leave.
Nevertheless, Leeds have to try.