Middlesbrough promotion rivals 'battle' to sign former Boro loanee after Carrick transfer call

Middlesbrough's promotion rivals Luton Town and Norwich City are said to be battling to sign former loanee Lewis O'Brien this summer after Boro's decision not to re-sign the midfielder.

O'Brien spent last season on loan at the Riverside, but an injury just six games into his time at the club kept him out for a large portion of the season, limiting his overall impact as he made only 25 appearances in total. As such, Boro made the decision to pursue other targets this summer and have landed USA prospect Aidan Morris from Columbus Crew.

Out of favour at Nottingham Forest, O'Brien will be expected to move on again this summer though, and according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Luton and Norwich are the two sides showing the greatest interest currently. As both sides look to build their squads for promotion challengers this term, both are said to be targeting a loan move but Forest are said to be holding out for a permanent exit for the 25-year-old.

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Boro decided early on that they wouldn't be looking to re-sign O'Brien this summer, despite the midfielder's interest in returning. His Premier League wage was said to be a particular issue for them, and though there remains interest from Turkey in Dan Barlaser this summer, Boro's stance on O'Brien remains unchanged.

As things stand, the signing of Morris is set to be their only midfield addition this summer, despite reports in Turkey over the weekend suggesting they were interested in Berat Ozdemir. Such reports were wide of the mark and though Boro will assess things should an agreement for the sale of Barlaser be agreed, they are keen to give Law McCabe more opportunities next term while Michael Carrick currently also has Fin Cartwright, Luke Woolston, AJ Bridge and Yacou Traore from the academy who are impressing too.