Journalist: 'Solid' midfielder who never gets injured is 'of interest to Leeds' after Kristensen

Lewis O’Brien is still ‘a player of interest’ to Leeds United, according to journalist Ryan Taylor, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.

The Whites have had the Huddersfield Town midfielder on their radar for some time now and have continued to be linked with a move for the 23-year-old after avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

Reports have suggested that Leeds are one of five Premier League clubs chasing a deal for O’Brien this summer, but they are currently busy wrapping up a move for Red Bull Salzburg right-back Rasmus Kristensen.

It is thought that O’Brien, who was described as ‘solid’ by Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff, has a £12m release clause in his contract.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Taylor thinks that O’Brien is still on the radar at Elland Road, name-checking Leeds director of football Victor Orta with having a ‘clear strategy’.

The reporter stated of the 23-year-old:

“I think he will still be a player of interest to Leeds because Brenden Aaronson wasn’t anything to do with Jesse Marsch, that was a signing that Bielsa was keen for, given his running stats.

“I think in the Champions League this season, no player ran more than Aaronson, which obviously with his Murderball football, it was key for that. So, it’s clear the targets have sort of come in from upstairs, and Victor Orta has a clear strategy.”

Midfield is certainly an area in need of reinforcement after Kristensen arrives in Yorkshire, with Brenden Aaronson expected to be used as an inverted winger.

Kalvin Phillips is the only senior defensive midfielder available to Jesse Marsch, and there’s no guarantee that the 26-year-old will be at the club next season following links with a move to Manchester City. Adam Forshaw has also endured a number