Sources: Major update on Leeds bid to sign O’Brien as Bielsa plan revealed
Leeds United have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien, Football Insider has learned.
United have tabled a number of bids for the 22-year-old but they have been knocked back by the Championship club.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club have now decided to end their interest in O’Brien.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa will instead give an extended opportunity to Adam Forshaw after being convinced he has fully overcome his injury hell.
United came close to signing O’Brien last week after being convinced he wanted to join.
Talks were held at an executive level with Huddersfield but Leeds have been unable to agree a fee.
The Championship outfit released a statement earlier this month confirming the strong interest in O’Brien and that they had “rejected two offers for him”.
Huddersfield had been holding out for their asking price of nearly £10million to be met.
They were dismissive of Leeds’ opening offer – revealed by this site on 6th August – of no more than £3million.
United subsequently upped their bid but that was not enough to secure an agreement with the second-tier outfit.
Bielsa has also been impressed by Forshaw behind the scenes and believes his condition is now such that he can have a significant role to play in his midfield this season.
O’Brien has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Huddersfield.
However, the Terriers do have the option of triggering a one-year extension clause.
In other news, Leeds United bid for Ryan Kent takes new twist.