---
title: "Leeds: Ryan Taylor makes Lewis O’Brien transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/lewis-obrien-leeds-transfer-claim-interest-ryan-taylor/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-06-05T16:15:43Z"
modified: "2022-06-05T16:15:43Z"
---

# Leeds: Ryan Taylor makes Lewis O’Brien transfer claim

**Lewis O’Brien is still ‘a player of interest’ to [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/), according to journalist Ryan Taylor, who was speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88015730-leeds-still-interested-in-signing-special-10m-star-at-elland-road).**

### The Lowdown: O’Brien linked with Leeds

The Whites have had the Huddersfield Town midfielder on their radar for [some time now](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/huddersfield-town-confirm-two-transfer-21299075) and have continued to be [linked](https://theathletic.com/3340078/2022/05/31/leeds-transfer-news-kristensen/) with a move for the 23-year-old after avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

[Reports](https://www.teamtalk.com/leeds-united/lewis-obrien-transfer-news-huddersfield-powerless-premier-league-transfer-awaits) 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](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1532634944354193408).

It is thought that O’Brien, who was described as [‘solid’](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/hes-bit-everything-leeds-united-24092795) by Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff, has a [£12m](https://www.teamtalk.com/leeds-united/lewis-obrien-transfer-news-huddersfield-powerless-premier-league-transfer-awaits) release clause in his contract.

### The Latest: Taylor’s comments on O’Brien

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88015730-leeds-still-interested-in-signing-special-10m-star-at-elland-road), 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.”

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### The Verdict: He is needed

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](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/12620318/leeds-the-summer-transfer-window-and-what-they-need-to-do).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398317″\]

Kalvin Phillips is the [only](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399) 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](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10847059/Manchester-City-identify-Leeds-star-Kalvin-Phillips-candidate-replace-Fernandinho.html) with a move to Manchester City. Adam Forshaw has also endured a number of [injury problems](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/adam-forshaw/verletzungen/spieler/121257) in recent years, with Mateusz Klich and Jamie Shackleton the remaining [options](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399).

O’Brien lined out in [seven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/leistungsdaten/spieler/560694) positions in the 2021/22 season, ranging from defensive midfield to centre-forward. Also, he has never been [notably injured](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/verletzungen/spieler/560694), so even if Phillips remains at the club, the Huddersfield man could be a reliable and versatile addition.

***In other news: [‘Sources…’ – Journalist drops news on ‘quality’ centre-forward target for Leeds](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-valentin-castellanos-transfer-update/)***