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…

Huddersfield Town are facing a real fight on their hands to keep hold of midfielder Lewis O’Brien this summer with Leeds United interested in a potential move for the 22-year-old.

It has now been reported by Football Insider that Leeds have now opened preliminary talks with Huddersfield over a potential move for O’Brien. The Whites are believed to be long-term admirers of the midfielder and have been monitoring his progress over the course of last season.

The midfielder is entering the final year of his existing deal with the Terriers, although they have an option for another 12 months on his contract. Huddersfield are therefore expected to command a significant transfer fee from Leeds for the 22-year-old.

With Leeds now entering into talks with Huddersfield over a possible move for him this summer, we asked our FLW writers whether they think this deal could happen and if he is ready for the Premier League…

Chris Thorpe

I can see the move happening, definitely. It feels like it’s been on the cards for quite some time now really.

I think O’Brien is more than ready to make the step up to the Premier League and personally I feel he will fit right in at Leeds.

Bielsa wants creative players who work hard for the team and I believe the Huddersfield Town man fits the bill for what the Argentine is looking for.

It’s an easy move for the player personally too as he only has to go across Yorkshire, so it’s a win-win on and off the pitch.

I will be intrigued to see how he fits in at Elland Road and how he develops over the coming years.

Adam Jones

There's no doubting Lewis O'Brien is a talented individual, but it may take a bit of time before Marcelo Bielsa includes him in his starting lineup if he does make the move to Elland Road.

His recent appointment as vice-captain shows how important he is to the Terriers and the respect he commands in the dressing room, shaping him up well for a potential move to the Premier League, but he was part of a Huddersfield Town side that narrowly escaped relegation last season.

Making the step-up will be a big ask for O'Brien, but Leeds will then need to decide whether to throw him in the deep end or integrate him slowly into the first team.

The latter option might be the best for the 22-year-old who could be scarred by his experience if he starts straight away for the Whites and fails to step up to the plate.

However, what the Premier League side can see in O'Brien is his potential to make the step up after doing it before when he performed well at Bradford City during the 2018/19 season before returning to the John Smith's Stadium and becoming a vital player for the Terriers.

This Yorkshire link is why I believe Leeds United will be in pole position to sign O'Brien if he makes a move to the Premier League. On his trajectory, he is likely to do so at some point and the midfielder may be keen to stay in the area.

I can't see him starting straight away at Elland Road though - and they wouldn't need to rush him in straight away considering he's only 22.

George Daglees

He's a talented player so I think it's worth a look for sure.

O'Brien has impressed during his time at Huddersfield Town and with them set for another season in the Championship at the very least I can hardly say it's surprising to see him linked with a move away now.

He could well be a Premier League level player in the future and I think at Leeds there is a set-up there that could really help him realise those ambitions.

He has quality and potential and Marcelo Bielsa knows better than most how to really maximise those qualities and get the best out of them.

I think Leeds could well pull this one off and though it might take a little time for him to get up to the level required, I have no doubts he'd get there in the end.