Newcastle United are interested in signing Huddersfield Town star Lewis O’Brien but face competition from other Premier League sides, including Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to TEAMtalk, the Magpies are one of several sides ‘looking closely’ at the product of the Huddersfield academy.
The highly-rated midfielder was subject of numerous bids from Leeds in the summer, but the Whites were unable to match Town’s valuation of O’Brien, according to TEAMtalk.
In the summer, the Terriers were believed to want a deal starting at £15million. However, a move never materialised for O’Brien and he signed a new four-year deal, but that isn’t expected to prevent interest resurfacing in the January transfer window.
Alongside Marcelo Bielsa’s side, Newcastle, Wolves, Burnley and Norwich City are all believed to be weighing up offers for the player in the New Year.
O’Brien has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Town this season, scoring twice in that time. Carlos Corberan’s side currently occupy the last Championship play-off place and face in-form Blackburn Rovers later today.
Alongside teammate Levi Colwill, the 23-year-old is the highest-rated Huddersfield player (7.04), according to WhoScored, so far this season.
Should Newcastle target O’Brien in January?
With Isaac Hayden out for a couple of months following knee surgery, Eddie Howe’s desire for midfield reinforcements will only have intensified.
Currently averaging 0.9 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.7 dribbles (the most in the Huddersfield squad) per game, O’Brien carries a goalscoring threat from midfield, which is highlighted by the fact that he is the Terriers’ most fouled player (2.3 times per game).
Showcasing his box-to-box midfield qualities, O’Brien is currently ranked third in the Championship charts for the average number of tackles per game (2.9).
O’Brien may not be the swashbuckling statement signing that grabs the world’s attention, but he would add some much-needed bite and creativity to Newcastle’s midfield.
At the age of 23, O’Brien is no way near his prime years yet and under the stewardship of Howe, he will only improve. Signing O’Brien in January could potentially prove to be one of PIFs shrewdest moves.
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