Leeds, Chelsea and Liverpool to be FOILED in hunt for £40m Brighton target - international set to leave Seagulls

Brighton are set to hold on to Ben White despite strong interest from Premier League rivals.

Leeds United, Liverpool and Chelsea are all keen on the 22-year-old centre-back.

According to reports, Leeds have had two bids rejected for the player who played a key role in the club’s promotion back to the Premier League last season during a loan spell.

The latest offer was £22million but Brighton have slapped on a £40million price tag as they aim to fend off advances from elsewhere.

Seagulls boss Graham Potter, who has been linked with a move for a new left-back, has plans to make White an integral part of his side next season with Shane Duffy reportedly allowed to leave, according to The Sun.

Duffy has fallen down the pecking order and could join Premier League new boys West Brom.

Even with his departure, Brighton are well stocked in the centre-back position with Lewis Dunk, Dan Burn and Adam Webster. All three played more than 30 times last season, although Burn did play left-back.

There is also the returning Matt Clarke, who spent the season on loan at Derby County, and new signing Joel Veltman from Ajax.

White is one of the most in-demand and highly rated defensive players in the country following his spell at Leeds United, playing 49 times under Marcelo Bielsa.

Potter may look to play with a back three more often when the new season gets under way in September.