Report: Burnley planning £7m bid for Sheffield United target and Player of the Year winner

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Burnley are ready to pay £7 million for Lewis O’Brien in an attempt to beat Sheffield United to the signature of Huddersfield Town’s Player of the Year, according to the Sun (16 August, page 59).

While it was hardly a stellar season for the Terriers, a yappy little ankle-biter of a midfielder emerged out of a miserable campaign with his reputation greatly enhanced.

O’Brien only forced his way into Huddersfield’s starting XI last August but, just 12 months later, he was clearing up at the club’s end of season ceremony.

Thanks to a stunning long-range rocket which ripped through Barnsley’s net, the Goal of the Season award is sitting pretty next to the Player of the Year gong on O’Brien’s mantelpiece.

Given his all-action style, relentless work rate and his love of a thundering tackle, the 21-year-old is a midfielder who looks pretty much tailor made for two of the Premier League’s most old-school ‘gaffers’ – the demanding Chris Wilder and the gravel-voiced Sean Dyche.

According to the Sun, Burnley are convinced that O’Brien epitomises everything required to be a success at Turf Moor with a £7 million offer on the cards.

Sheffield United have been scouring the Championship for bargain signings themselves and, after snapping up Ben Osborn, Jack Robinson, Oli McBurnie and co, the Colchester-born dynamo would be in good company at Bramall Lane.

Perhaps O’Brien could replace John Lundstram in the Steel City with the long-serving midfielder resisting Sheffield United’s attempts to tie him down to a new contract.

“I didn’t really expect anything to come of this season so for the fans and everyone to vote for me to be Player of the Year is a massive shock but a massive compliment to me,” O’Brien told Huddersfield’s website recently.

“It was a very surprising season for me. I came in thinking I’d be in and around the team, not actually playing week in week out like I did.

“To top it off with everyone voting me as Player of the Year is a big surprise.”