By Joe Ellis

13th Jul, 2022 | 10:40pm

Leeds United face uphill struggle in Lewis O'Brien chase as new bid tabled

Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien had been a long-term target for Leeds United back they now face being on the backfoot.

The Athletic reported on 12 July that newly-promoted Nottingham Forest had made a joint bid for O’Brien and his Terriers teammate Harry Toffolo but they are unwilling to allow the left-back leave along with the 23-year-old without a significant increase in price.

It is the same price of £12million that Leeds were quoted from their Yorkshire rivals as that is his release clause from the John Smith’s Stadium, as reported by TEAMtalk, 16 February.

If Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta still want O’Brien to come and play at Elland Road in the Premier League next season, then they need to pull their fingers out and start making moves sooner rather than later to prevent his move to the City Ground instead.

We are certainly on the back foot in this regard having yet to table an official bid but there is still time to get involved although our recent transfer business may rule us out.

Already this summer, we have signed Tyler Adams and Marc Roca to play in the exact same role O’Brien was originally touted for and that doesn’t also include youngster Darko Gyabi who arrived from Manchester City as part of the Kalvin Phillips sale.

Leeds United could live to regret not making more significant attempts to sign the Englishman though if he does make the switch to Nottinghamshire before the season kicks off in August.

Marsch had better know what he is doing with Andrea Radrizzani’s money between now and the end of the transfer window because we are far from done and while O’Brien might not be the one, he could do with finding it as soon as possible with the new season rapidly approaching.

In other Leeds United news, Orta has made contact with this player released by Manchester United this summer over a potential free transfer.