Brighton join Nottingham Forest in transfer battle for Middlesbrough ace | OneFootball

Brighton have joined Nottingham Forest in the race for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney

Brighton and Nottingham Forest have both turned their attention to Middlesbrough as they look to bolster their respective squads in the summer transfer window.

The Seagulls are vying to qualify for the Europa League and will need greater squad depth next term if they secure European football.

Meanwhile, Forest beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League final, meaning the City Ground could host Champions League nights next term.

Vitor Pereira's men still have work to do to secure their Premier League safety, even though they have been on strong form in recent weeks and thrashed Sunderland 5-0 at the Stadium of Light in their last top-flight outing.

Brighton join Nottingham Forest in race for Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney

Hayden Hackney has been a key man in Middlesbrough's promotion bid and was recently named by the EFL as the Championship player of the season.

The 23-year-old's exceptional performances in the second tier haven't gone unnoticed, as Forest have eyed a move for his services ahead of next season.

Now, according to Football Insider, Brighton are vying to beat Forest in the race for Hackney's signature, as Fabian Hürzeler looks to strengthen his midfield options.

Hackney's importance to Middlesbrough has arguably been proven more than ever in April, as the Riverside Stadium club endured a four-game winless streak amid the 23-year-old's injury struggles.

The Brighton and Forest transfer target showed his class before his fitness setback, scoring in Boro's 4-0 triumph over Queens Park Rangers on 8 March.

He also notched assists in last month's 3-1 triumph over Birmingham City and 1-1 draw with Bristol City.

Nottingham Forest will be desperate to beat Brighton for Hayden Hackney if Elliot Anderson leaves

Hackney's performances throughout the Championship season, coupled with the heightening transfer interest in his services, prove that he should be ready to bridge the gap between the second tier and the Premier League.

The all-action midfielder showed he can produce the goods against top-flight opposition when he scored in Boro's 3-1 defeat to Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, acquiring a talented midfielder will be even more of a priority for Forest this summer if star man Elliot Anderson leaves the City Ground this summer.

Anderson produced yet another excellent display when Pereira's side beat Villa in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, often controlling the pace of the game.

The former Newcastle United man, who previously spent time on loan with Bristol Rovers, appears destined to start alongside Declan Rice in the England midfield at this summer's World Cup.

Meanwhile, according to Sky Sports, Manchester City are in pole position to sign the 23-year-old amid rival interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

Such high-profile transfer advances for Anderson show that he will be an extremely difficult man for Forest to replace if he leaves the East Midlands ahead of next season.

However, Hackney has established himself as a strong candidate to do just that, and Pereira's side will be determined to sign the Middlesbrough ace if they lose their current star man.

Boro would be gutted to lose his services, as he has been a class act throughout his time at the Riverside Stadium.