Leeds lock horns with Championship title rivals Sheffield United for £10m-rated Premier League star

LEEDS  have opened talks to bring in Nottingham Forest centre-half Andrew Omobamidele this month.

The Republic of Ireland defender, 22, is available and the deal could be a loan with a guaranteed buy.

Forest hope to raise £10million from selling the former Norwich prospect, who has not played as many games as they hoped.

Promotion-chasing Leeds want competition and see as a long-term investment.

Rivals Sheffield United are keen — but would prefer a loan arrangement.

Omobamidele was born in Leixlip, County Kildare.

In 2020, he signed a professional contract with Norwich City.

The centre-half made his Canaries debut in 2021 as a sub in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City.

The stopper made his Premier League debut in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes.

In the same year, Omobamidele made his international debut against Portugal in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

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In the summer of 2023, the 6ft 2in talent moved to Nottingham Forest for a reported fee of £11million.

However, he has found game time hard to come by.

Last season, Omobamidele played 14 times in all competitions.

But this campaign he has featured just once - in the EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle United.

Interestingly, it was Leeds boss Daniel Farke who handed Omobamidele his debut in that defeat to the Gunners.

After the game, he called the player "outstanding" for his efforts.