Report: Leeds summer target can leave for £10m in January

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Leeds United will have to pay £10 million if they hope to sign Lewis O’Brien during the January transfer window, according to a report from The Sun on Sunday (7/11; page 59).

O’Brien was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road in the summer as Marcelo Bielsa set his sights on strengthening his midfield options.

And it appears that Leeds did make a serious attempt to sign the 23-year-old.

Huddersfield owner Phil Hodgkinson confirmed after the window that the Whites made a bid that could have been worth £13 million to the Terriers.

However, as noted by Leeds Live, the structure of the offer prompted Huddersfield to reject it. They wanted a greater part of the fee up front.

Leeds appear to have suffered without signing a new midfielder. Neither Mateusz Klich or Stuart Dallas have found their best form so far, for various reasons.

So at the very least, you would imagine that O’Brien will be one player that Leeds speak about behind the scenes in the weeks ahead.

And it appears that they may not need to pay as much this time around as they could have needed to had their summer bid been accepted.

According to The Sun on Sunday (7/11; page 59), O’Brien has a clause in his new contract that will allow him to leave for £10 million.

Leeds must not rule out fresh Lewis O’Brien bid – but some signs have been more positive of late

Leeds are always unlikely to do much in a January window while Bielsa is in town.

But O’Brien has been outstanding at times this season. And the Whites may feel that they could do with the lift of a winter signing if their underwhelming season continues.

So a fresh move may make a lot of sense by the time January comes around.

Having said that, there have been some signs that have been a lot more encouraging of late.

Dallas was much better against Norwich last weekend. Meanwhile, Adam Forshaw is providing reason for very cautious optimism.

Leeds also have Lewis Bate knocking on the door. And if he gets his chance before January, and takes it, Bielsa may feel that the club has no need to reignite their interest in O’Brien.