Exclusive: Liverpool tipped to sign £35m-valued star after James Pearce reveal

Paul Robinson fears that Leeds United may miss out on Ben White this summer if Liverpool make a concrete offer for the English defender.

The former England number one, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested that the "lure" of Champions League football and playing for the Premier League champions may be too hard for the 22-year-old to turn down.

The Athletic's James Pearce revealed yesterday that the Brighton centre-half "is highly regarded" by Jurgen Klopp.

Football Insider understands that Brighton value White, who has two years remaining on his contract, at upwards of £35million.

White, who spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Elland Road, was ever-present for Leeds in the league and was integral to Marcelo Bielsa's side winning the Championship.

When asked by Football Insider if White would be a regular starter at Anfield if he joined the Reds this summer, Robinson said:

"I think he would start straight away alongside Van Dijk. They would be a formidable partnership.

"You see the way that Van Dijk has played with De Ligt for the Dutch national team. He always develops the players around him.

"White would be a shoo-in with Van Dijk to start. He would start the season and you would not get him out. He did not missed a game for Leeds last year.

"He has got a great affinity with Leeds, the club and the fans, but the offer of Champions League football and playing for the Premier League champions may just be too much of a lure.

"You hope that he has a bigger affinity with Leeds but if he went to a club like Liverpool he would get in and you would not get him out again."

In other Liverpool news, Leeds United backed to sign player who may be "fed up" at Anfield.