Leeds United have long been linked with Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien – but West Ham United could now swoop in to sign him.
The Whites were heavily linked with O’Brien last summer having excelled under Carlos Corberan.
Corberan was a Leeds United coach and worked closely with Marcelo Bielsa and has attempted to implement a similar style of play at Huddersfield.
The Sun now claim that Leeds were again keen on O’Brien in January but refused to pay an alleged release clause in his contract.
That release clause is thought to be worth around £12million, and whilst Leeds want midfield additions, they didn’t fancy that price.
TEAMtalk now suggest that other Premier League clubs are getting involved, with West Ham now keen to lure O’Brien to East London.
Crystal Palace, Wolves, Burnley and Norwich City are all keen too, with O’Brien turning heads in the Championship.
You look at West Ham’s recruitment of Jarrod Bowen and it shows that David Moyes is more than willing to shop in the Championship.
O’Brien could be their next signing from the second tier, with Moyes keen on adding another midfielder this summer.
Mark Noble’s career is winding down and loanee Alex Kral will surely be sent back to Spartak Moscow.
O’Brien could represent another option behind Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, fitting into West Ham’s budget in the process.
Hailed as ‘very special’ by Huddersfield boss Corberan, O’Brien has been the Terriers’ midfield general in a surprise playoff push.
If Huddersfield miss out on promotion, it looks like Premier League clubs will be queueing up to sign O’Brien.
Leeds’ hesitation in January may just mean they miss out on O’Brien altogether.
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