Brighton player should be transfer priority for Sunderland, Blackburn and Middlesbrough this summer: Opinion | OneFootball

Naturally, throughout the January transfer window, clubs across the three divisions of the EFL were keen to strengthen their playing squads.

This was certainly no different at clubs like Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland, with all three Championship sides either hunting down promotion this second half of the season, be it automatically or via the play-offs.

Sometimes, though, clubs go after the same player, and that appeared to be the case in January with the above trio.

Indeed, during the winter window, all three were linked with a loan deal for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

In the end, no move came about, with the young defender remaining with the Premier League side.

His fortunes at the AMEX Stadium have not improved greatly since, though, with the Dutchman remaining a peripheral figure either on the bench as an unused substitute or not in the squad at all.

It could be argued, though, that missing out in January could be that van Hecke remaining at Brighton until the summer is a blessing in disguise as if he continues to get little playing time, he will surely depart the club this summer when his current contract is due to expire, as per Transfermarkt.

On a free transfer, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Sunderland should all have van Hecke high on their list of summer priorities if indeed he does depart the AMEX Stadium.

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Blackburn, first and foremost, are more than familiar with what the Dutchman can do with the young defender having spent a period at Ewood Park on loan in 2021/22.

During that loan spell, van Hecke appeared 32 times for Rovers and the fact the club were keen to get him back once again speaks to his ability, backed up by the fact he won the club’s Player of the Year award last season.

At Middlesbrough, meanwhile, Michael Carrick was clearly keen to start putting his stamp on the Boro squad and van Hecke could have been, and could once again in the summer be a part of that.

Whether they stay in the Championship or get promoted to the Premier League, van Hecke could be a fantastic signing.

Last but not least, Sunderland would also be a fantastic club for van Hecke and a team that should be going all out for him.

Looking as though they have established themselves back at Championship level this season, the Black Cats will have ambitious plans for the future and snapping up talented players like van Hecke could help get them there.

The Dutchman also fits the profile of player the club have leaned towards in recent years in the sense he is talented, young, and could potentially be sold on for a profit in the future – especially given he’s available on a free.

It is of course, also worth noting that a move to Sunderland would reunite him with the manager he did so well under at Blackburn last season, in the form of Tony Mowbray.

Indeed, having said all of the above, it seems abundantly clear all three Championship sides should revisit their interest in van Hecke this summer.

When a talent such as his is available for nothing, you have to go for it, and no doubt if he does become a free agent, there will be other sides circling, too.