Crystal Palace have joined Leeds United in the race to sign Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien, according to TEAMtalk.
The Lowdown: O’Brien profiled
Labelled as ‘very special’ by Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan, O’Brien is 23 years of age and can play in a variety of midfield roles.
Primarily a central midfielder, the Englishman has also turned out in a holding role on a number of occasions this season and can play as an attacking midfielder. He’s made 115 appearances for his current employers – 34 of which have come during the current campaign.
O’Brien is under contract with the Terriers until 2025, however, he could be on the move in the summer with a number of top-flight sides interested.
The Latest: Eagles keen
According to TEAMtalk, Palace have joined the race for O’Brien, who has a release clause worth around £12m.
The report suggests that Leeds are still keen after having a number of bids rejected in the summer, with Burnley, Norwich, West Ham and Wolves also name-checked with an interest.
The Verdict: Gallagher 2.0?
Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has reaped the rewards of dipping into the Championship market in recent years, most notably with the arrivals of Eberechi Eze from QPR and Michael Olise from Reading.
Loanee Conor Gallagher is set to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, so bringing in O’Brien could be a shrewd move in the long run as Patrick Vieira continues a Selhurst Park rebuild.
Palace actually pipped Leeds in the race for Gallagher over the summer, and it seems as if they may look to do the same when it comes to O’Brien over the coming months.
In other news: Palace eyeing ‘class’ ace who called Vieira ‘great’ last month; Romano has dropped major update.