Leeds United would have signed Lewis O'Brien from Huddersfield Town in the summer transfer window if they were willing to spend more money.
That's according to journalist David Anderson, who has reported that the Terriers were going to allow O'Brien to leave should the right offer had come their way.
The Whites failed to make any signings in January which left some supporters frustrated given their injury situation and thin squad, with Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford all still out.
It has been a frustrating season for Leeds and a new addition in the winter market could have given them a boost ahead of the second half of the season.
Instead, Marcelo Bielsa has stuck with the players at his disposal as they look to steer further away from the relegation zone with 15 matches to play.
O'Brien could've made the switch to Elland Road but Leeds saw four proposals pushed back by Huddersfield, with the most lucrative being worth £13million.
The 23-year-old then committed his long-term future to the Terriers by penning a new four-year deal in September, seemingly strengthening their negotiating position.
However, the contract includes a £10million release clause which could prove to be vital should the Whites want to come back in for the midfielder at the end of the campaign.
It has opened the door to other potential suitors and Bournemouth are thought to be interested in signing him if they are promoted to the top-flight.
Brenden Aaronson was heavily linked with a move to Leeds in January however, Red Bull Salzburg supposedly rejected a second bid of upto £20million and weren't willing to let him leave before their Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich.
There's no doubt the Whites wanted to sign another midfielder but they failed to strike a deal with Aaronson and O'Brien, but Anderson has provided the latest on a potential move for the latter.
When asked about Leeds' bid to sign O'Brien, Anderson told GiveMeSport: "It was a strange one at the time because Leeds could have got him if they had have offered that little bit more."
O'Brien has been an ever-present in the Huddersfield side this season as they eye a return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Having made 30 Championship appearances, O'Brien has played a pivotal role in their push for promotion, with the Terriers fifth heading into the back end of the campaign.
He has scored twice and grabbed two assists in the process and could be an astute signing for the Whites should they manage to get it over the line.
Leeds are lacking options in midfield, with Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk featuring in that role in Phillips' absence, while Mateusz Klich has stepped up in recent weeks.
