Leeds United and Burnley are heading up for the Premier League after winning automatic promotion. LUFC won the Championship title, while the Clarets finished behind in 2nd on goal difference.
Both sides know the steep task that lies ahead as they look to buck the trend of promoted sides being relegated back to the second tier at the first time of asking.
LUFC - Leeds United player celebrate Joel Piroe goal
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
Ipswich Town were one of three sides to meet that fate in the 2024/25 campaign, though it seems one of their standout players could be offered a Premier League lifeline.
The Irish Sun reports that Leeds United and Burnley are interested in O’Shea and are considering whether to make moves to bring him back up from the Championship.
Wolves, who were interested in signing O’Shea last summer, are also keen.
Of course, it was Burnley who Ipswich signed O’Shea from last summer, bringing him in after relegation at Turf Moor. The 26-year-old is under contract with Ipswich until 2029 but after another solid season for a struggling side, LUFC, the Clarets or Wolves could offer him a route back.
A smart Leeds United signing?
Leeds United boast a strong squad but they know that they need upgrades. Players brought in can not be to just compete with their current options, the majority need to be ready to come in and claim starting XI places.
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O’Shea seems likely a great option in the bid to do that. He may have suffered back-to-back relegations, but he was a standout for both Burnley and Ipswich Town, finishing as the latter’s Player of the Year.
leeds united, Leeds United, Burnley weigh up move for Ipswich Town Player of the Year
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
That makes the Irishman a fine target for LUFC, but Ipswich have ambitions of pushing for an immediate return and will hope to keep their star men, of which O’Shea is one.
Could O’Shea prefer to avoid a promoted club?
O’Shea joined Burnley from West Brom, making a deserved step up to the Premier League. However, he was then relegated straight back down with the Clarets.
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As such, he stepped back up with Ipswich Town, but they have now been relegated too.
It is twice now that O’Shea has proven himself as a solid Premier League defender, hence interest from Leeds United and former club Burnley. However, in a bid to become the top flight mainstay he deserves to be, perhaps the centre-back could look to join a team already boasting an established place in the division.
That could work against LUFC and Burnley while aiding Wolves in their revived interest.