Liam Cooper hoping Ben White extends his stay at Leeds United

White, who has appeared in all 37 of the Whites’ Championship fixtures this season, has excelled at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa.

His performance at centre-half – and sometimes central midfield – has enhanced his reputation with clubs such as Liverpool reportedly watching with a keen eye.

The Seagulls have a decision to make on the 22-year-old when he returns to the South Coast, but Cooper, like every Leeds fan, wants the player to remain in LS11.

Cooper said: “He plays with such an old head on his shoulders and a lad of his age to have done what he has done this season.

“He’s not missed a game in his first season in the Championship.

“To reach the levels he consistently has done in every single game has been unbelievable.

“He’s such an intelligent defender and I think he is going to go on to have an unbelievable career – hopefully that can be with Leeds United,” added Cooper.

“He lives near York now – he loves it up here and took to the group straight away. We’ve got a young group and it was easy for him to settle in.

“He has been unbelievable and I think he has proved to everyone who did doubt him that he can definitely do it at this level and probably will at the highest level as well.”