This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has not given up the hope of signing Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers, according to a report from Football Insider, despite West Brom trying to hijack the deal with a £2.2million bid that was rejected by the Bees.

West Brom have now jumped into pole position in the chase for the in-demand 27-year-old,, so Leeds will need to move swiftly if they want to secure the midfielder.

So would the signing of Sawyers be a key piece of business at Elland Road? Would he fit in at Leeds?

We discuss.........

Jacob Potter

"He’s exactly the type of player they need in their squad next season.

"I’m surprised that Leeds haven’t submitted a formal offer to Brentford, especially given that his asking price is only £3m.

"In today’s market in the Championship, that is a bargain in my opinion, and Leeds would be foolish not to test the Bees with a bid for the midfielder.

"Sawyers could drive Leeds forward from midfield, and would be a real threat for Marcelo Bielsa’s side for years to come if the Yorkshire-based side were to land his signature.

"Sawyers has played consistently for Brentford at Championship level, and would be the missing piece in their promotion jigsaw.

"They need depth in the midfield areas, especially if Kalvin Phillips is to leave the club before the transfer window closes, so Sawyers should be their top target."

George Harbey

“I wouldn’t say that it’s a hugely important piece of business, but it would still be a real coup if Leeds were to sign him.

“Sawyers has established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Championship during his time at Brentford – he may not get the goals and assists he deserves, but on the ball he’s one of the best out there.

“Leeds have plenty of quality options in that area, in the form of Mateusz Klich, Tyler Roberts and Pablo Hernandez, and I can’t see Bielsa dropping two of them.

“But, one thing Leeds didn’t have last year was depth, and signing Sawyers for what looks to be a cut-price would be excellent business.”

Ned Holmes

“Sawyers would be a good signing but I’m not sure it is a key bit of business for Leeds.

“If they’re able to sign the 27-year-old for a fee that is close to the reported offers of other clubs, West Brom’s £2.2 million bid, for example, I think it will be a great bit of business and he will be a useful addition to the squad.

“The midfielder is a talented player and despite regularly playing in a deeper central midfield role last season showed again that he can be a productive creative player in the Championship, providing seven assists.

“However, I don’t think he starts over Kalvin Phillips, Matuesz Kilch or Tyler Roberts in Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield, so I don’t see it as a key piece of business.”