Crystal Palace and Leeds United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien in the summer.
According to TEAMtalk, Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien is attracting a lot of interest heading into the summer transfer window, with Crystal Palace and Leeds United among the Premier League sides eyeing a swoop.
O’Brien came through the ranks at Huddersfield and became a mainstay in the side since 2019 after spending a season away on loan at Bradford City. The 23-year-old has made 128 appearances for the Terriers, chalking up a tally of eight goals and ten assists.
The English midfielder has enjoyed a solid campaign in 2021/22, racking up 43 appearances in the EFL Championship and directly contributing to six goals, helping Huddersfield secure a third-place finish. With the club now in promotion playoffs, O’Brien will be hoping to help the Terriers return to the Premier League.
But if they miss out on the promotion, the 23-year-old could be on the move in the summer transfer window, with there being no shortage of suitors. Leeds United are long-term admirers of O’Brien and had made attempts to sign him last year. Having failed in their pursuit in 2021, the Whites are back in the hunt for his signing.
Given their overdependence on Kalvin Phillips in the centre of the park, Leeds United must add more quality to their midfield unit. Adam Forshaw’s campaign has been blighted by injuries, while Mateusz Klich has been extremely inconsistent. So, signing a new midfielder should be a priority for the Yorkshire-based outfit.
O’Brien has emerged as a target, although a move for the 23-year-old would depend on whether Leeds United can secure their Premier League status for the upcoming season. Even if they avoid relegation, the Whites will face competition from Crystal Palace in the race to sign the English midfielder.
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a positive season under new manager Patrick Vieira and must look to build on it by strengthening the roster adequately over the summer window. And the midfield department is one where reinforcements would be needed as Conor Gallagher’s loan deal runs out at the end of the season.
Furthermore, James McArthur is out of contract at the end of the season as well, creating another vacancy in the centre of the park. O’Brien, to that end, can be a viable addition to the roster at Selhurst Park in the summer. Apart from Leeds and Crystal Palace, the 23-year-old is also a target for Burnley, Wolves, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.
O’Brien has a release clause worth £12 million which clubs can trigger to sign him in the summer. So, even though Huddersfield are fighting to keep hold of him, the Englishman could be on the move, more so if the Terriers fail to achieve promotion.
