Leeds United in for Lewis O’Brien as frontrunners for transfer named
Carlton Palmer expects Leeds United to lose out on the signing of in-demand Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien to West Brom.
The 26-year-old is impressing out on loan at Los Angeles FC and the Whites are interested in acquiring his services until the end of the season upon the expiry of his MLS deal in December [TEAMtalk].
However, Palmer, formerly of West Brom and Leeds, spoke to Football League World on Saturday [2 November] and shared his belief O’Brien’s previous relationship with Carlos Corberan positions the Baggies as the “frontrunners” in the race.
“If [West Brom] can beat the other clubs to the signature of O’Brien, then you would think that, given he has worked with Corberan before and done really well with him, that he would not necessarily favour a move to West Brom but that they would obviously be the frontrunners.
“They would be at the forefront for his signature, given his relationship with the manager and what has happened before.”
Carlton added: “Of course, we all know this will come down to finances as the time comes to sign him. Especially given the length of the list of teams interested in his signature.”
Leeds United could go all out to sign Lewis O’Brien
The midfield crisis at Elland Road has been well-documented in recent weeks and, despite securing the free-agent signing of Josuha Guilavogui, Farke is targeting one more stop-gap arrival to ensure the midfield is well-stocked for the rest of the campaign.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev are nursing long-term injuries and it will be some time before the Leeds faithful see the pair suit up for the club this season.
Therefore, O’Brien’s availability in the January transfer window provides the perfect opportunity for the side to strengthen further and, better yet, add another seasoned Championship professional to the ranks.
The 26-year-old will return to Nottingham before the New Year with Nuno Espirito Santo no longer requiring his services but still, his string of man-of-the-match performances in the MLS have attracted significant interest in his signature.
Furthermore, if Palmer’s previous claims are to be believed, that Leeds would sign O’Brien in a permanent transfer with the view of flipping him for a profit once a return to the Premier League is secured, surely Elland Road will be at the bottom of his desired landing spots.
However, finances will play a role in where O’Brien plays his football next, and the Whites have money to burn after the big sales of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in the summer.
There will surely be plenty of twists and turns along the way heading into the January transfer window. Leeds are not out of this race just yet.
In other Leeds United news, a Daniel Farke verdict has been shared as claims emerge the Whites are a weaker side this year.
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