Leeds ‘make contact’ with Burnley over £15m transfer with Marcelo Bielsa keen

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Leeds United have reached out to Burnley over the possibility of a move for Josh Brownhill, according to reports. Marcelo Bielsa is believed to be a keen admirer of the 25-year-old, who made 36 appearances for the Clarets in all competitions last season.

Leeds have already moved to bring in Junior Firpo from Barcelona and Kristoffer Klaesson from Valerenga since the beginning of the summer transfer window.

The Whites have also retained the services of former Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison on a permanent basis.

It seems as though the addition of a new midfielder has emerged as the club’s main priority, with their problems highlighted by the opening-day humbling at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.

Kalvin Phillips was left on the bench as Leeds were thumped 5-1 by the Red Devils, with his stand-in Robin Koch failing to stem the tide in the absence of his 25-year-old team-mate.

The Yorkshire outfit previously tried to engineer a loan deal for Chelsea playmaker Conor Gallagher, but the Blues man ultimately decided to stay in London and join Crystal Palace.

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Leeds have now switched their focus to the signing of Brownhill and have opened talks with Burnley to establish the likelihood of a move, according to TEAMtalk.

However, the report claims that West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the former Bristol City man, who is capable of playing centrally or in a wide role.

Hammers boss David Moyes is said to view Brownhill as the ideal replacement for long-serving captain Mark Noble, who will leave the club at the end of the season.

Burnley will reportedly demand at least £15million to part ways with Brownhill after paying £9m to secure his services from Bristol City last year.

It remains to be seen whether Leeds will be prepared to match this figure, with the club already having spent close to £30m on the signings of Firpo, Klaesson and Harrison.

Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien is also believed to be a target and could be available for around £7m, which is a fee that Leeds are happy to shell out.

It has been reported that a move for the 22-year-old is in the works, but it seems unlikely that both he and Brownhill will sign for the club ahead of this month’s transfer deadline.

Former Leeds man Carlton Palmer recently urged his former employers to land O’Brien this summer, with the 55-year-old backing the former Bradford City loanee to shine at Elland Road.

“It would be a great opportunity for him,” Palmer told Football Fancast.

“I know Bielsa has watched him several times and has been keen on him. He fits the remit for Leeds, the way Leeds play, he fits the age of 22 he’s going to come on.

“The question is now he’s established himself as one of the up-and-coming midfield players in the Championship, who’s done very well.”

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