According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, as cited by Daily Star, Manchester United and Manchester City have both joined the race to sign Ben White this summer. The Brighton & Hove Albion defender is currently on loan at Leeds United, who are keen on securing his services permanently.
But, with so much competition, the Whites may have to turn their attention elsewhere. And in this article, we will talk about three alternatives Marcelo Bielsa could pursue as he seeks to revamp his defensive unit this summer.
Juan Foyth
Juan Foyth would be an interesting choice for Leeds United for multiple reasons. Although he is one of Premier League’s most exciting young defenders, he has struggled to win the trust of Jose Mourinho so far. Moreover, due to his lack of game-time, the young Argentine could fancy a loan or even a permanent move away from north London in the summer.
Leeds are an ideal suitor for Foyth. They will be able to provide him with proper game-time alongside Liam Cooper at the heart of the backline. The 22-year-old can also offer cover for Luke Ayling in the right-back slot, making him a useful asset for Bielsa.
Speaking of Bielsa, Foyth’s aggression, combined with his technical quality, could tune in well with the Argentine mastermind’s tactical setup at Leeds, thus making him a viable option for the Whites.
Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe was rather unfortunate not to move to Aston Villa last summer. Instead, he remained at Old Trafford, where he has unsurprisingly struggled with a lack of game-time. In fact, the youngster has featured in only five Premier League matches, which is simply unacceptable.
Tuanzebe was one of Championship’s best performing defenders last season, and he could definitely replicate his performances at Elland Road next season. His imposing presence at the back would make the Whites much more effective during defensive phases and given his struggles at Man United; he is indeed a realistic target for Bielsa’s men this summer.
Joel Veltman
By far the most experienced player on this list, Joel Veltman is one of Ajax’s old guards, having been a part of the first-team since 2012. He has featured in almost 250 competitive matches for the Dutch giants while winning 21 caps for the national team. His experience, therefore, could come in handy for an otherwise young Leeds United setup.
Also, Veltman is a technically gifted and versatile defender. His passing oriented game could combine well with Cooper’s more robust style of play. And with the Dutchman also capable of playing at right-back, he would indeed be an ideal signing for the Championship league leaders.
