Leeds United are unwilling to pay the £8million Huddersfield Town are demanding for Lewis O'Brien, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on O'Brien

Marcelo Bielsa may be on the lookout for a backup to Kalvin Phillips this season, in order for the Whites star to be given a breather now and again after a long, gruelling campaign followed by Euro 2020 in the summer.

One player who Leeds have been continually linked with is O'Brien, who has been a key man at Huddersfield, making 82 appearances for the Championship club.

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The Latest: Hay provides key update

Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic on Friday [via Sportslens], Hay confirmed that Leeds are interested in signing O'Brien, also saying 'Bielsa likes him'.

The Whites don't want to spend the required £8million for his services, however, which could scupper a potential deal happening.

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The Verdict: Is £8m too much?

While O'Brien has clearly been an influential figure for Huddersfield, winning the club's Player of the Year award in 2019/20, £8million does arguably sound a little steep for someone plying their trade in the Championship.

At 22, the midfielder is admittedly a long-term prospect with plenty of time to develop, but Leeds may be wise looking elsewhere unless the Terriers lower their demands.

It would be a hefty amount to spend on a player who wouldn't even be going into the starting lineup regularly, despite once being hailed as 'incredible' by Huddersfield writer Steven Chicken.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly still keen on signing a player who shone at Euro 2020. Find out who it is here.