"In the box seat" - Middlesbrough backed to beat Preston, Sheffield United in Nottingham Forest transfer race | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Middlesbrough are in pole position to re-sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien this summer.

O'Brien spent this season on loan at the Riverside Stadium, and he provided one assist in 25 appearances in all competitions for Michael Carrick's side.

The 25-year-old missed much of the first half of the campaign with injury, but after returning to fitness, his form was crucial to Boro's strong end to the season, and they finished eighth in the table after losing just one of their last 12 games.

The midfielder admitted last month that he is unsure where his long-term future lies, but he revealed he would be keen to return to Boro this summer.

"I don't have a clue, I'll have to see what happens in the summer," O'Brien told The Northern Echo.

"I've really enjoyed my time here and the time I've been playing.

"If it's the right time and the right things fall in place, I'd obviously love to come back here."

Journalist Alan Nixon claims that Boro would like to bring O'Brien back to the club this summer, but they face competition for his signature from Preston North End and Sheffield United.

Palmer: Middlesbrough are in the box seat to win Lewis O'Brien race

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that while Sheffield United could be a tempting proposition for O'Brien, Boro are the favourites to sign him this summer.

"Preston North End, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United are all keen to sign the left-footed Lewis O'Brien, who is currently contracted to Nottingham Forest," Palmer said.

"He's been on loan at Middlesbrough this season, unfortunately he picked up an Achilles tendon injury, so he missed a large part of the season, but he's fit again.

"He's in demand, and I think a lot will depend on what happens with Nottingham Forest.

"If Nottingham Forest survive the drop, I think he'll be surplus to requirements, but if they do get relegated, it may be a situation where they bring Lewis O'Brien back for the Championship season. "There's a lot of moving parts in this situation. "I think if Chris Wilder is given the backing at Sheffield United, he'll do a massive overhaul and they'll be pushing for automatic promotion next season. "Lewis has been on loan at Middlesbrough and has already expressed the fact he's enjoyed it, he's enjoyed the experience, he's enjoyed working under Michael Carrick. "Despite a slow start to the season, they kicked on, and Michael pushed it very, very close to getting them in the play-offs. "You'd assume that Middlesbrough will be busy in the summer, and if they can, then they would like to entice him back, whether that's another loan or a permanent deal. "He's got to play football, so wherever he goes he has to play regular football. "Hopefully he can get a good pre-season under him and he's nice and fit and he's good to go.

"I think Middlesbrough would be in the box seat to re-sign him once Nottingham Forest's fate is decided."

Middlesbrough must complete Lewis O'Brien deal this summer

It is easy to see why O'Brien is in demand after an excellent second half of the season for Boro.

After recovering from injury, O'Brien established himself as a key part of the Boro side, and it is no coincidence that their form improved significantly after his return to the team.

It did not work out for O'Brien at Forest after his big money move from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2022, but there is no doubt he is a quality performer at Championship level.

With Forest looking likely to stay in the Premier League this season, a deal for O'Brien could be complicated, and his price tag may prove to be a stumbling block for some of his suitors.

Sheffield United could have a financial advantage in the race to sign O'Brien, but he has expressed his desire to return to the Riverside Stadium, and if Boro can afford him, they must do everything possible to bring him back to the club.