Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'told to pay £50m for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 October 2020

Brighton & Hove Albion reportedly put a £50m price tag on Ben White amid reports that Liverpool have made the defender their top choice to replace Virgil van Dijk.

Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly placed a £50m price tag on Ben White amid speculation that Liverpool are lining up a January move for the defender.

The Premier League champions are understood to have identified White as their top target to replace Virgil van Dijk, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury.

Jurgen Klopp has subsequently been left with only two recognised senior centre-backs to choose from, raising the likelihood that they will dip into the transfer market when the window reopens.

Liverpool scouted White intensively during his loan spell at Leeds United last season and considered a move for him in the summer, only to be put off by his asking price.

The Mirror reports that Brighton have now told the Reds that it will take a bid of £50m to prise the 23-year-old away from the Amex Stadium midway through the season.

The Seagulls rejected three bids for White from Leeds during the summer but would not stand in his way if one of the established 'big six' lodged a suitable offer.

The centre-back only signed a new long-term contract at the beginning of last month, keeping him at the club until 2024.

Liverpool have also been linked with Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano as possible replacements for Van Dijk.