Paul Robinson: Leeds United unlikely to pay £8m for Huddersfield ace Lewis O’Brien
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson struggles to see Leeds United splashing out £8million on signing Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien.
The Mail on Sunday reported via their print edition [August 8, page 138] at the weekend that Leeds have seen a £3million bid rejected by Huddersfield for the 22-year-old but are readying a second offer which could force the Championship club into a sale.
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has also reported that the Terriers want over £8million for their highly-rated central midfielder.
However, Robinson fails to see the Whites paying that much as O’Brien would not get into Marcelo Bielsa’s starting line-up at Elland Road.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, the former goalkeeper said: “I don’t think they’ll pay £8million for an unproven Championship midfielder – although I do think he’s a good player.
“He will get better in the future, especially when he works with a manager like Bielsa – he can only get better.
“But with the valuations that far apart, I can’t see Leeds trying to rush it through for a player who wouldn’t go into the starting 11.”
Leeds clearly want to add to their central midfield options before the transfer window closes with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher strongly linked before he joined Crystal Palace on loan.
O’Brien is untested in the Premier League and has only played 80 times in the Championship in his career.
However, Leeds must see potential in the former Bradford City loan star, who’s spent all of his career on the books at Huddersfield.
Leeds should be able to force their Yorkshire rivals to lower their valuation of O’Brien with a second offer.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have made an approach to sign this English forward whose value is soaring.