Middlesbrough and Sheffield United in potential blow as Ipswich Town to move for midfield target | OneFootball

Ipswich Town want to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien this summer, in what would be a blow to Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, per Alan Nixon via Patreon.

The 25-year-old has failed to hold down a starting role in Forest's Premier League squad, and has enjoyed multiple fruitful loan spells away from the City Ground.

O'Brien spent time in America with MLS side DC United in the second half of the 2022/23 season following his collapsed deadline day move to Blackburn Rovers, before making a season-long loan move to Teesside last summer.

Injury setbacks saw his playing time reduced to 23 Championship appearances for Michael Carrick's side, but when he did play, the former Huddersfield Town man did impress.

Now the central midfielder looks set to depart from Forest this summer, as they look to balance their books in compliance with Financial Fair Play laws (FFP), and he could now be set to stay in the top-flight next season.

Ipswich Town preparing swoop for Middlesbrough and Sheffield United target Lewis O'Brien

Reporting via his Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that newly promoted Ipswich Town want to sign the Forest midfielder, and they could move quickly to ensure it is them who capture his signature.

The report states that Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna desires further depth in the heart of his midfield, and has identified O'Brien as the type of hard-working player that he is coveting.

As reaffirmed in the report, Nottingham Forest are facing issues with staying on the right side of FFP laws, and are thus inclined to sell some of their assets this summer; with O'Brien being one of those likely to move on.

Nixon states that Middlesbrough would like O'Brien back at the club next season, despite conflicting reports as exampled via Teesside Live in May, that have stated Boro are not looking to secure a permanent deal for the Englishman this summer.

Newly relegated Sheffield United are also credited by Nixon as holding an interest in O'Brien, but they are currently stuck in the limbo of a potential takeover, which is making transfer funds and plans unclear.

Nixon also reports that Ipswich are looking into the possibility of signing Coventry City midfielder Ben Sheaf, but a steep asking price set by the Sky Blues could be too big of a sticking point.

Nottingham Forest are said to want under £10 million for O'Brien's services, whereas Coventry want more than that for Sheaf, who Nixon also reveals is a target for Luton Town.

Lewis O'Brien has earned chance to play Premier League football

O'Brien has had a tough time of it as of late on the injuries front, having missed time with both Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough in recent years.

But the industrious central midfielder has proven that he's a class act at Championship level with both of those clubs, having captained the Terriers all the way to the Championship play-off final back in the 2021/22 season, as a 22-year-old.

Those leadership and maturity levels he displayed as such a young captain, have stood the test of time and remain evident in his game as a 25-year-old.

O'Brien has proven himself to be a quality player at Championship level, and has more than held his own in the 13 Premier League games he's appeared in for Nottingham Forest, and therefore, he's earned the opportunity to test himself once again in the top-flight.

A move to a club such as Ipswich, who do currently lack depth in the middle of the pitch, would be a great opportunity for O'Brien to get regular Premier League minutes under his belt, and this should mean that if Boro and Blades do want his services, they will face a tough task competing with the Tractor Boys.