"He's proven" - Pundit backs Sheffield United move for Nottingham Forest midfielder | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer discussed Sheffield United's interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien

Carlton Palmer believes that Lewis O'Brien will fit the bill as a potential Sheffield United signing after they emerged as one of the six clubs interested in the 26-year-old.

TEAMtalk recently revealed that the likes of Sheffield United, Leeds, West Brom, Sheffield United, Stoke, Hull City and Southampton are all interested in the midfielder who is currently out on loan at MLS side LAFC.

O'Brien is still technically a Nottingham Forest player, having signed for them from Huddersfield Town in 2022, but TEAMtalk have reported that he is unlikely to feature in Forest's plans moving forward, with a number of English clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

The 26-year-old has a good reputation in the Championship thanks to his role in helping Huddersfield Town make the play-offs back in 2022, and the Blades are set to face stiff competition for his signature from their Championship rivals.

Former England international midfielder Carlton Palmer believes that signing O'Brien would give Sheffield United some much-needed depth, and that the 26-year-old is a realistic signing for Chris Wilder's side.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "Another club that is interested in Lewis O’Brien is Sheffield United.

“Sheffield United are going great guns in the Championship under Chris Wilder, and Chris has come out and said that he has a very competitive starting XI, but after that he is struggling for players, and he’s got a young bench.

“So, of course, a player of Lewis O’Brien’s ability in the Championship, Sheffield United would be interested in him.

“Chris Wilder won’t be worrying about hampering the youngsters coming through because you need the blend of youth and experience to get you out of the Championship. You can’t put the youngsters in all the time, when the pressure comes you need players who have been there, seen it and done it.

“Lewis O’Brien has been there in the pressure situations, making it to the play-offs with Huddersfield Town. It didn’t quite work out for him at Middlesbrough and sometimes that happens, but he’s proven at Championship level.

“Sheffield United can’t do a lot, they haven’t got a lot of money until this takeover’s ratified, so Lewis O’Brien might fit into their criteria given the situation that they find themselves in from a financial point of view.”

Lewis O'Brien could help nurture some of Sheffield United's young midfielders

The Blades have an excellent academy which has nurtured some top talent in recent seasons, and while the likes of Sydie Peck, Andre Brooks and Ismaila Coulibaly would arguably see less game time if O'Brien joined the club, he could help turn them into better players.

Despite only being 26, O'Brien has gained experience in both the Championship and a number of leagues in recent seasons, and the likes of Peck and Brooks could benefit from training and playing alongside him.

Wilder would have learned a lot about his young players when they were defeated 1-0 by Barnsley in the EFL Cup back in August, a game which the likes of Peck, Brooks and Coulibaly all featured in, and that would have indicated to the Blades boss that some of these players aren't quite ready to be starting in the Championship.

This means that reinforcements could be needed if they're to sustain a promotion push over the course of a 46-game season, and their recent wobbles against Leeds and Middlesbrough may have shown Wilder that signings will be needed.

Players like Peck and Brooks will likely become starters for Sheffield United in the years to come, but adding an experienced head to the squad like O'Brien now could well be a shrewd move.