Leeds United prepare offer for Brentford forward Said Benrahma

Leeds United are among the teams looking at Said Benrahma and are prepared to follow up their interest with an offer for the Brentford forward.

The Championship winners have joined West Ham United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Leicester City in showing interest in the Algeria international after his club failed to reach the Premier League through the play-offs.

Marcelo Bielsa is looking to bolster his attack for Leeds’ first campaign back in the top-flight for 16 years and Benrahma has been earmarked as a player who would add quality to his squad at Elland Road.

Benrahma is valued at £25million by his club, along with Ollie Watkins, but there is hope among his potential buyers that a deal could be struck for less than £20m for a player who arrived from French club Nice two years ago for £2.7m.

The 24-year-old reached double figures for goals last season and scored 17 this term as Brentford reached the Championship play-off before their defeat to Fulham. He has played on the left side of a front three at Griffin Park and would fit into Bielsa’s system.

Leeds have also spoken to Brighton about Ben White, following his successful loan under Bielsa last season when he played a key role at centre-back in the title triumph.

White, 22, is valued at £30m by his club, who have a dilemma as they now have six centre-backs in their squad. Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Dan Burn were used by Graham Potter last season and Joel Veltman has been bought from Ajax.

There has been no agreement over White returning to Leeds but there are likely to be more discussions during the window when Potter makes decisions on his first-team plans. Goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Helder Costa have seen their loans turned into permanent deals.