‘I’ve been told…’ - BBC man drops damaging West Brom transfer claim on 'terrific' player

BBC pundit Carlton Palmer says it will be a difficult task for West Bromwich Albion to try and sign Huddersfield’s Lewis O’Brien this summer.

The 23-year-old has progressed his way through the ranks at The John Smith’s Stadium after first joining the club at U11s level, and ended up breaking his way into the senior first-team to become an integral part of the Terriers’ starting XI – he’s now racked up 131 appearances.

Carlos Corberan’s side narrowly missed out on securing promotion to the Premier League in a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Championship play-off final last month, so given the fact that Huddersfield will be spending at least another season in the second-tier, interest in the midfielder has risen.

The Baggies are just one of the clubs believed to be eyeing up a potential move during the upcoming window.

Palmer claims that West Brom wouldn’t stand much of a chance of securing O’Brien’s signature because he’s been ‘told’ of several competitors in the league above. He told Football League World:

“There’s a lot of Premier League clubs interested in him.

“I’ve been told Leeds, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Brighton, Southampton are all keen to sign him.

“So if there’s a release clause then it’d still would rule West Brom out, I would have thought unless he decides that he wants to play regularly.

“And if he believes that West Brom is the team for him to play regularly, and there is a release clause, and West Brom could meet that release clause at £10 to 15 million, I think it’s something that they would be interested in.”

O’Brien was a standout performer in Huddersfield’s promotion-chasing season and played a massive role in helping his side achieve a place in the top six.

The Colchester-born