Middlesbrough are set to secure the loan signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, with a medical booked in for today, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old has been the subject of a huge transfer tussle, with Leeds United previously thought to be the frontrunners in the battle. The Premier League club were keen to offload the player on a permanent basis, although the only interest has been in the form of a temporary deal.
With the transfer window drawing to a close, Forest have softened their stance and agreed to a season-long loan deal. Middlesbrough appear to have won the race – which also included Coventry City and Ipswich Town – and the former Huddersfield Town man will have his medical at the Riverside Stadium later today.
O’Brien only joined the East Midlands side last summer following his excellent form for the Terriers, who were defeated in the 2022 play-off final by Forest. He made 13 Premier League appearances last season, but eventually departed the City Ground on loan, heading to the MLS with D.C. United.
Despite his successful stint in the United States, he has not featured for Forest this season and will be looking to rebuild his career on Teesside.
Middlesbrough have endured a miserable start to the campaign and are winless from their opening four games. Manager Michael Carrick confirmed earlier this week that he was keen to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window and it appears that Sam Greenwood will also arrive on loan from Leeds United.
Writer’s View
Although he struggled in the Premier League, O’Brien is proven at Championship level and will be a shrewd addition to the Middlesbrough squad. Carrick knows that he has to start getting points on the board, starting this Saturday when they host Queens Park Rangers.
There will be a hope that Greenwood will be able to replace the goals lost by the sale of Chuba Akpom and O’Brien will certainly strengthen the midfield. Do not write Middlesbrough off yet and they will be challenging for a play-off place before the end of the season.
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