Leeds United will make new approach for Lewis O’Brien as Huddersfield aim for Premier League
Leeds United will make a new approach for Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien after failing last summer, according to The Sun.
Despite “lengthy enquiries” a year ago the Whites didn’t put forward a “decent offer” for the 23-year-old and he was rewarded with a pay rise at his current club.
The Terriers will look to keep hold of him for a second time if they reach the Premier League, as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest in the playoff final on Sunday afternoon (29 May).
According to The Sun, United can afford the £10million it would take to sign him now, but “could miss out again” if their neighbours reach the top flight.
If successful his current side are prepared to offer him another improved contract that removes the low release clause in his deal.
The midfield man has been a vital part of their promotion push this year, missing only four games all season on the way to 49 appearances in all competitions where, in the words of the Sun report, he “torn up the Championship with his hard running and clever counter-attacking skills”.
Second time lucky
If this move comes off it certainly looks like Victor Orta is looking to make amends this summer for the failures of the past 12 months.
The squad was left badly exposed by the lack of January arrivals, after last summer’s additions of Dan James and Junior Firpo failed to shine.
After kicking off with the quick move to rectify the winter window’s fruitless chase of Brenden Aaronson this week, the club appears to be gearing up to right the wrongs of not bringing O’Brien in a year ago.
With Kalvin Phillips out for the majority of the year the midfield department was left lacking, especially with Adam Forshaw also suffering with injury.
The future at Elland Road for the former is increasingly unclear amid interest from Manchester City, but the position would appear to need strengthening either way.
O’Brien has been virtually ever-present this season, in stark contrast to most of the Whites’ squad, as Huddersfield finished third in the Championship.
United will hope that the success ends there as promotion might make it tough to land him, so key figures at Elland Road are sure to be watching events at Wembley closely.
In other Leeds United news, the club are reportedly likely to sell two key stars this summer.