Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of competitions, many football clubs were in a difficult financial situation, which cannot but affect the upcoming summer transfer window. However, sometimes fans are ready to help their favorite teams get one player or another.
We are talking about the 22-year-old central defender Ben White. The rights to it belong to the Brighton club, which plays in the English Premier League (Premier League), but since July last year it has been on lease at Leeds United. The development of his career is watched with interest by both fans and specialists. Some of them consider him one of the most promising young football players and even compare him with the famous colleague in the role of Rio Ferdinand.
At the moment, the team of Marcelo Bielsa leads the championship standings, and experts see this, including White's merit. That is why it is assumed that for Leeds would be the best solution to buy a player from Brighton at the end of the season. This view is shared by five-year-old Daniel Auten.
A young football fan decided to help his team and made an unusual request to Brighton CEO Paul Barber. He asked the club to sell Leeds defender and even expressed his willingness to financially support this transfer.
“I am writing to you about one of your players who is currently on loan from our team. It's about my favorite footballer Ben White. If at all possible, please, please, please, let us buy it at the end of the season. I counted the coins in my piggy bank. If that helps, I have £ 15.07, ”Daniel wrote in his letter.
In turn, Barber thanked the boy and praised for the fact that he was ready to give his own savings for his beloved football player. At the same time, the functionary had to disappoint a Leeds fan.
“Our head coach Graham Potter and CTO Dan Ashworth see Ben as an important part of the team in the future. Therefore, I’m afraid that we don’t have the opportunity to sell Ben at Leeds United, ”Brighton said in a reply.
💙 Thanks to young @LUFC fan Daniel who recently wrote to us regarding @ ben6white. 👏
We've replied accordingly 👇 # BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lFpxMQWo1w
In March, Potter himself announced the intention to return White to the team, now this decision has been confirmed by Brighton owner Tony Bloom. According to him, the club was faced with financial difficulties due to a pandemic. Therefore, in the next season, the bet will be made primarily not on new players, but on the team's returnees from the lease, one of which is White.
For the same reason, Brighton does not intend to part with a large number of players.
“We do not need to sell players. This transfer window may not be the best for sale, because we do not know what the market situation will be. It is unlikely that we will be as active as in previous seasons. I doubt that the market will be just as active, and the total number of transfers will be only a small fraction of what happened during the summer transfer windows in the previous couple of years, ”Eastbourne Herald quotes Bloom.
At the same time, according to some experts, the crisis could play into the hands of Leeds, if the club still decides to fight for White. Currently, its value is estimated at € 5.5 million, but it is assumed that the team will be able to get it at a lower price.
Daniel also responded to the letter at Leeds. Its owner Andrea Radritszani promised to contact Brighton with a new proposal for the purchase of a defender.
“Great job, Daniel! You can join the club and help Victor Orte (Leeds sports director. - RT ) after school . We’ll complement your proposal for Ben and return with him to Mr. Barber, ”wrote Radritsani on Twitter.
It is worth noting that White himself did not leave the letter of his young fan without attention.
“Daniel Oten’s family, please contact me,” the lawyer wrote.
Like most European football tournaments, the championship of England was suspended in mid-March. It’s too early to talk about the resumption of the season, but it is assumed that the first matches after a forced break may take place in early June. In this case, most likely, they will pass without spectators.