Victor Orta details why Leeds United did not sign Lewis O’Brien
Victor Orta confirms Leeds United failed to sign Lewis O’Brien in the summer due to a disagreement with Huddersfield over the midfielder’s value.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Huddersfield wanted £8million for the 22-year-old while The Athletic claim Leeds saw him as being worth half of that.
The Express [print edition, August 14, page 77] reported that Leeds had two bids rejected for O’Brien and director of football Orta admits that these things happen in the transfer market.
“It was a different valuations,” Orta told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I respect these kind of things, they happen in football. You have one idea, the club owning the player has another idea. If it matches, perfect, if not they have to continue and you have to continue.”
Shame
Leeds needed players in several positions as they went into the summer transfer window.
With Ezgjan Alioski leaving, a new left-back was the number one priority and they got that when Junior Firpo came in from Barcelona.
After that, there was a major need for a new central midfielder to add some depth to Marcelo Bielsa’s options while a new winger was also needed.
Kiko Casilla’s loan exit to Elche meant Leeds needed a new second-choice goalkeeper first and Kristoffer Klaesson was brought in from Valerenga but the wait went on for a central midfielder.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher was linked until he opted to join Crystal Palace on loan and that’s when Leeds turned their attention towards O’Brien.
Days passed by without a breakthrough in negotiations even though there was a good chance the midfielder would have been keen to quit the Championship club to play for Bielsa in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, the deal went dead in the water, breaking down to the point that no move was made on deadline day.
Daniel James, however, did come in on a permanent basis from Manchester United.
We almost got what we set out for this summer but that midfield is a bit of a concern while an injury or suspension to Firpo would also spell potential trouble with Stuart Dallas – arguably our best central midfielder – the only back-up.
In other Leeds United news, a loan move to Elland ERoad was mooted for a central midfielder on deadline day.