Hull City have made Lewis O’Brien one of their top transfer targets this summer as they look to finally land a player they’ve admired for a number of seasons.
City have held a long-term interest in the Nottingham Forest midfielder but have been unable to get a deal over the line in the past for a number of reasons.
Bosses at the MKM Stadium hope that their luck is about to change after targeting the stylish midfield maestro with him once again available this summer, Hull Live can reveal.
O’Brien remains under contract at the City Ground for another 12 months and while the Premier League outfit would be prepared to sell for the right price, it’s understood a loan arrangement would be most likely given the finances involved in a permanent deal.
Since arriving at Forest along with Harry Toffolo – another long-term target – after being on the losing side in the 2022 Championship play-off final with Huddersfield Town, O’Brien has played just 17 times for the Reds, with only 13 of those coming in their first top-flight campaign. His last outing in the Garibaldi came in the FA Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester United in January 2023.
The 26-year-old has since had loan spells with DC United and LAFC in the MLS, before turning out for Middlesbrough and Swansea City in the Championship.
O’Brien spent the second half of last season on loan in South Wales with Swansea, and came up against the Tigers on Good Friday when the hosts won a controversial rain-affected contest 1-0.
Now back at Forest, O’Brien is wanted by a host of clubs in the Championship, including the Swans and Preston North End, with no shortage of interest and the player likely to have a tough decision to make.
City face a fight to get the Colchester-born ace to the MKM Stadium, but hope incoming boss Sergej Jakirovic can convince him to link up with the Tigers.
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