Much has been made of the fact that Leeds United have not signed a central midfielder since Adam Forshaw joined the club in January 2018. Many Leeds fans celebrated that the club have 'finally signed a midfielder' when Brenden Aaronson arrived as the Whites' first signing of the summer, but in his play-style and in his on-field positioning, the American international will look far more like a forward or a winger, particularly in Jesse Marsch's preferred formations.
Leeds are hopeful of hanging onto Kalvin Phillips and extending the academy product's contract at Elland Road, despite interest from Manchester City, but it is clear that Victor Orta has work to do in bringing in a player to play alongside the England international, as Aaronson will not be that player. One of those linked is Huddersfield Town's Lewis O'Brien.
The young midfielder was a target for the Whites last summer, after they failed to sign Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea. However, they could not agree a deal with the Terriers. After Huddersfield missed out on promotion to the Premier League, Leeds may well try again for the player, who is said to be available for around £10million.
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Here is why he could be an ideal signing for Leeds:
Proven quality at a competitive level
Whilst not being one of the more glamourous leagues to recruit from, in recent years the Championship has shown itself to be one of the best leagues for Premier League clubs to recruit from. In the last two seasons alone, Crystal Palace have had great success in signing Michael Olise, Ebereche Eze & Marc Guehi, all of whom had never played at a higher level than the English second tier. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma, Jarrod Bowen and many others have been bought from the Championship and made the step up look easy. In fact, the success rate of recruiting from the Championship seems a lot more successful than from some of the other 'top' European leagues, where players often struggle to adapt to the style of the league.
O'Brien has been one of the standout midfielders in the league for several seasons, having played over 3000 minutes in each of the last three seasons, contributing eight goals and ten assists. He is an all-action midfielder and stands out for his ability to carry the ball through midfield, which is an attribute lacking from Leeds' current options in the centre.
Many will remember his run and assist for Emile Smith Rowe's goal which sealed promotion for Leeds in 19/20 as Huddersfield defeated West Bromwich Albion. It demonstrated O'Brien's agility, as well as his balance and strength to remain on the ball despite a foul from Filip Krovinovic, before finding the pass.
O'Brien looked ready to make a step up last summer. After another season where he has set the standards for a Huddersfield side that narrowly missed out on promotion, despite expectations of a relegation battle, he is absolutely good enough to add quality to Leeds in the Premier League ahead of next season.
The age profile required
The current state of Leeds' squad heading into next season features a number of players in their 30s. There are many players in their late teens and early twenties around the peripheries of the squad, but some more players just coming into their peak years are required to give the squad some fresh legs that have proper experience of senior football. This is particularly important after a season in which the Whites suffered so many injuries.
In O'Brien, they would be signing a player who would be turning 24 just a couple of months into the season. He would bring the experience of having played 177 senior matches, whilst still having the majority of his career ahead of him.
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An option at left-back
Whilst primarily being a midfielder, O'Brien could help provide a solution to a problem Leeds have ahead of next season. The powers that be at Leeds will certainly be hoping for more from Junior Firpo after a difficult first season at Elland Road. However, his injury record was poor and Stuart Dallas - who covered for him most often - sustained a long term injury of his own late in the season, meaning Leeds won't see the Northern Irishman in a white shirt again for at least six months.
O'Brien has played a decent amount of minutes as a left-back at Huddersfield, covering for Harry Toffolo when needed. He could surely do the same at Leeds, although they would be ill-advised to be overly reliant on this option, as if Firpo picked up a serious injury of his own, O'Brien would be pulled away from the area of the field he was brought in to improve.
Will the deal happen?
After Leeds failed to get a deal done for O'Brien last summer, the Terriers man signed a new contract. However, it is expected that he can leave the club this summer, although the existence of a release clause is not known. Orta is reportedly looking at several midfield targets, with O'Brien confirmed as one of them. If the price is £10million, as some reports have suggested, then the Whites would be well served in making the deal happen. They would get a player who would improve the base level of the squad and still have room to grow, as well as leaving themselves with more money to spend elsewhere, given the cheap nature of the deal.
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