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Leeds United make approach to sign Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill
Leeds United have approached Burnley with enquiries about £15million-rated central midfielder Josh Brownhill, according to TeamTalk.
The online news outlet reports that Marcelo Bielsa is a “huge admirer” of the 25-year-old, who came off the bench for Sean Dyche’s side on Saturday in their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton at Turf Moor.
It is understood that Aston Villa and West Ham have also shown an interest in the Warrington-born ace.
TeamTalk adds: “Brownhill, though, would be difficult to prise away from the Clarets and would demand a big fee for him. They paid £10m to prise him from Bristol City and his fee now is likely to be 50 per cent higher.
“However, we understand he has a huge admirer in Marcelo Bielsa and our sources have revealed that Leeds have made contact.”
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Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien seems to be Leeds’ number one choice to fulfil their need for a new central midfielder this summer.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has reported this week that O’Brien, 22, will make the move from Huddersfield to Leeds once the Whites agree a transfer fee with the Championship club.
Leeds did, however, miss out on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher before they went in for O’Brien so it’s fairly clear that Victor Orta and Bielsa have a list of midfielders they are working their way through.
If they don’t sign O’Brien, will Brownhill be next?
Based on the fee that Burnley want for the former Bristol City midfielder, it seems unlikely.
We can see why Leeds would be interested in him as he plays in that position, Bielsa is reportedly a fan, he’s got Premier League experience and has “boundless energy”, according to Burnley boss Dyche [Burnley Express].
He sounds as though he’d be a good fit at Elland Road but that £15million valuation is a massive red flag for us.
Leeds haven’t pushed the boat out this summer and we don’t expect them to either unless a really good deal emerges on the cards.
Brownhill would be a decent addition but there’s little to suggest he’d be much better than O’Brien, who’s younger and likely to be cheaper.
In other Leeds United news, Andy Townsend has heard rumours this Elland Road star is “overweight”.