Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Lewis O’Brien, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon , as they look to prepare for a return to the Premier League after 23 years. The Huddersfield Town midfielder has been heavily linked with Leeds United since last summer, with the club reportedly tabling a bid of £8million but refusing to match the Terrier’s £10million valuation.
Interest in the 23-year-old regained momentum after the Whites secured their Premier League status with a final day win at Brentford, but quickly cooled as Victor Orta looked elsewhere. He and Leeds instead focused their attention on Marc Roca, who signed from Bayern Munich for £10million.
That has opened the door for several other top-flight clubs to sign O’Brien who is likely to leave Huddersfield following their defeat in the playoff final in May. Leading the pack are Forest, the side who beat Carlos Corberan’s side at Wembley, and they are thought to be preparing a £10million offer.
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Steve Cooper’s side have already been linked with Terriers’ left-back Harry Toffolo, who could leave the John Smith’s Stadium for as little as £2.5million, while Manchester United’s Dean Henderson has joined the newly-promoted club on loan.
It is thought that Leeds’ time to sign O’Brien was last season, with the club now under new management and a new philosophy with Jesse Marsch. The club are still in the market for a central midfielder, but are instead looking at the likes of Tyler Adams and Mohamed Camara from RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg respectively - both of whom have played under the Whites boss previously.
Leeds have already brought in two Salzburg players - Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen - as part of a clear move to bring in players who know Marsch’s style and formation. The club will continue their efforts to replace Kalvin Phillips, whose announcement as a Manchester City player is imminent.
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