Where Ben White stands: Leeds' No.1 transfer target, scouted by Liverpool and eyed by Chelsea

In the coming two months, there will be many different transfer plots, sub-plots and scenarios playing out.

Many will be private, some will be public.

There are a few which, even in this digital age, will be done before you’ve even heard of them.

Most will be pored over on social media, by fans of the respective buying and selling clubs.

Supporters of other sides will likely chime in and have their say.

But few things on social media in that time will be as good as #FreeBenWhite.

Leeds United’s 16-year wait for their Premier League return ended this summer, as they marched back to the top flight, led to the Championship title by Marcelo Bielsa.

And White, the 22-year-old defender on loan from Brighton, shone throughout.

In his first season at Championship level, he replaced Pontus Jansson - sold to Brentford for £5.5million after falling out with Bielsa - and was outstanding for the Whites.

The young centre-half played every minute of every match for the Yorkshire side, eventually being named the club’s Young Player of the Year.

His ability to step out of defence with the ball and build attacks became a pillar of Bielsa’s side, and has led to comparisons with Rio Ferdinand and John Stones.

But on numerous occasions throughout the season, he’s shown a willingness to put his body on the line to protect his side’s goal; Leeds kept 22 clean sheets in their 46 games, five more than anyone else, and White was a major part of that success.

Twelve months ago, Brighton weren’t interested in adding an option to sell into White’s loan deal. Now, that move looks exceptionally smart, because, as they build for life back among the elite, Leeds are desperate to keep him.

Two bids, the first of £18.5million, the second of £22million, have both been rejected. Dialogue with the Seagulls is open, and chief executive Angus Kinnear has stated: "We have an advantage in Ben loves the club.

“He’s loved playing for the club. He loves his team-mates. He knows he’s going to get game time under Marcelo.”

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. On two fronts.

Firstly, White, who started in Southampton's academy before being released and signed by Brighton in 2016, has a fan in Brighton boss Graham Potter.

The Seagulls boss wanted him on loan at Swansea during his time at the Liberty Stadium and is in no doubts that White is now ready for Premier League action.

“He’s our player, he’s got a long contract with us,” he declared in July. “I know about his qualities. He’s a fantastic player. He’s done brilliantly at Leeds and helped them get promotion – that’s fantastic for them, fantastic for him – but he’s our player and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“We like him a lot. He's a really good player and thankfully he's our player.

“He complements us really well. He’s got attributes that are really, really useful and he’s going to be a top player.”

Brighton already have a number of centre-halves at their disposal, with club captain Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster first-choice last term. Dan Burn, 6ft 7in, carved out a spot at left-back for himself but is equally at home in the centre while Ireland international Shane Duffy was on the bench.

They’ve also added Joel Veltman from Ajax for a knockdown £900k this summer, while 23-year-old Matt Clarke returns from a loan spell at Derby County where he was the club’s player of the year. Throw in White and that’s seven senior centre-halves all told.

So Brighton have options. Duffy has been told he can go for the right price, and they’ll be confident of landing a buyer. Similarly, they’ll feel Clarke will attract interest in the Championship if they don't think he's quite ready yet.

But it’s White who would garner most money and is attracting the most attention - and not just from Leeds United.

As Mirror Sport’s David Maddock revealed on August 4,Liverpool have been monitoring White’s progress.

With Dejan Lovren having departed, they’re on the lookout for another centre-half and White has impressed the club’s data analysts, scouting team and Jurgen Klopp.

At his age, and with plenty of scope for further development, he fits the bill where the Reds’ transfer policy is concerned, a young player with bags of potential and a very high ceiling.

But would they be willing to go as high as Leeds in the current climate? Perhaps not, given the Whites have greater need, and with Brighton in a position of such strength as it stands.

Certainly, they aren’t the only two clubs high on White either. Chelsea have similarly been linked, at a time when Frank Lampard knows he must strengthen his defence - but is White the man to transform his backline?

From the outside looking in, first-team football would be more readily available at Elland Road than either Anfield or Stamford Bridge. At the Amex he will get the opportunity to make his mark when they begin pre-season.

And as things stand he is very much Brighton’s asset. An asset whose value is on the rise.

Potter, technical director Dan Ashworth and owner Tony Bloom will already have figured out what it will take to sell right now.

The question is whether someone, Leeds, Liverpool, whomever, will meet their price?