Leeds United enjoyed a fine first season back in the top-flight last term as Marcelo Bielsa guided the side to a top-half finish in the Premier League.

They have not found it as simple this time around, however, as they sit 16th and five points off relegation with 18 matches played, although that gap could shorten with Watford and Burnley both having games in-hand over them.

Their struggles could lead to Bielsa looking to improve his squad in the January transfer window and one player who has been touted with a switch to Elland Road is Huddersfield gladiator Lewis O'Brien. Journalist Pete O'Rourke has claimed that he would be interested in the move, telling GIVEMESPORT:

"He signed a new contract at Huddersfield but I'm sure if the opportunity came to go to Leeds, it would be something that he would jump at."

Bye-bye Klich?

By signing the English battler, Bielsa can finally axe Polish international Mateusz Klich.

The £34k-per-week Leeds dud has struggled badly this season and the arrival of another player in his position could lead to him either leaving the club or being a regular on the bench instead of starting matches.

He has started 10 Premier League games this season and averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.37, ranking him 15th in the squad. This shows that he is consistently delivering sub-par performances for Bielsa and that is why he must be axed from the team and replaced by O'Brien in January.

The Huddersfield man has caught the eye in the second tier with a string of fine displays. He has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.01, whilst making 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game - showing that he will fight hard for the team in midfield.

Terriers boss Carlos Corberan previously hailed the gladiator, saying:

"He's an example of the players we have as a club. We want our academy players to have an impact on the first team.

"(Head of football operations) Leigh Bromby is very focused on the academy and we want to develop the young players because we know how important they are going to be for this club and to see how O'Brien works every single day, how he competes every time is very good.

"He can play well or he can play badly but it is very difficult to find a game where O'Brien doesn't compete well. Sometimes how you play can depend on the opponent, the shape, the structure, your team-mates, but how you compete is down to you."

He reportedly has a £10m release clause in his contract with the Championship side and Victor Orta must now activate it to bring him to the Premier League next month. The Lillywhites must snap him up and offer him the chance to displace Klich, who needs to be axed by Bielsa.

AND in other news, Leeds could sell "shocking" Christiansen flop by signing "wonderful" £9m-rated star...