Nick Ware

Mon 16 August 2021 11:10, UK

Alan Nixon claims Crystal Palace are set to make a decision over Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien as Leeds United continue to dither.

The Whites pursuit of the 22-year-old Englishman has been widely documented over the last few weeks, particularly by Nixon.

However, after The Sun journalist was asked whether it was true that Leeds have gone back in with a bid that could be successful, Nixon simply said on his personal Twitter profile, “Not at this point.”

He was also asked whether Premier League rivals Palace were likely to gazump them in the transfer market again after beating the Whites to the loan signature of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.

Nixon said: “Palace are into [Will] Hughes and O’Brien…one or the other, or maybe somebody else if the right one pops up in a hurry.”

Race on?

If Leeds really are set on signing O’Brien then the club will have to act fast to prevent Palace from swooping in.

Marcelo Bielsa looks to be set on bringing a new midfielder in this summer after losing Pablo Hernandez from last season’s squad, and O’Brien has evidently been identified as the ideal replacement to supplement the existing roster of central midfielders.

From the outside, a move to Elland Road is surely more enticing than Selhurst Park.

For one, he wouldn’t have to uproot from West Yorkshire if he joined the Whites.

Furthermore, Marcelo Bielsa’s men finished five places and 15 points ahead of Palace last season, and after a summer of upheaval for the Eagles, Leeds would present a much more stable option than south London.

However, O’Brien will want to get his future sorted as soon as possible and if Palace presents him with a suitable offer, we could be trumped in the race.

In other Leeds United news, Gary Neville delivers ‘Unbelievable’ Whites player reaction after Manchester United defeat.