Middlesbrough face Everton and Leeds United transfer threat for Matt Targett | OneFootball

Premier League duo Everton and Leeds United are plotting moves for Middlesbrough loanee Matt Targett this summer

Middlesbrough's hopes of automatic promotion are looking increasingly slim after a poor run of form, with Kim Hellberg's side's best route to the Premier League now looking likely to be through the play-offs.

At one stage, Middlesbrough had overtaken Coventry City in the hunt for automatic promotion at the summit of the table, though just a couple of months later, Boro find themselves 13 points adrift of the Sky Blues in 5th.

A winless run of six games has seen Boro's hopes of a top two finish come crashing back down to earth, with a resurgent Southampton having now overtaken them in the table.

Barring a catastrophic final four games, a place in the top six is all but secured, as head coach Hellberg will be eager to end the season on a high heading into the play-offs.

Failure to reach the Premier League will almost certainly see star players such as Hayden Hackney leave the club, though Middlesbrough could be set for a fresh blow in their permanent pursuit of a loan player who has shone at the Riverside this season.

Everton and Leeds United prepare surprise moves for Middlesbrough loanee Matt Targett this summer

According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Matt Targett, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Newcastle United, is attracting the interest of Premier League duo Everton and Leeds United this summer after a standout campaign in the Championship.

The 30-year-old's contract at St James' Park is set to expire this summer, allowing him to find his next club as a free agent, with Boro now reportedly facing competition to secure his permanent signature.

With four goals and three assists in 38 second-tier appearances this season, Targett has played some of the best football of his career on loan at the Riverside this season, with Hellberg's fluid style of play often seeing him play higher up the pitch than previously.

The former Southampton, Fulham, and Aston Villa defender has made over 160 appearances in the Premier League in his career to date, with this season being his first full year of regular Championship football so far.

However, it looks almost certain to be his last, at least for now, with a return to the Premier League in some capacity being touted.

Middlesbrough would likely jump at the chance to bring Targett to Teesside permanently, but that job now looks increasingly difficult following the latest interest from the Premier League.

Vitaly Mykolenko's future at Everton is in doubt, with his contract due to expire in the summer, and Adam Aznou is not yet expected to fill that void on Merseyside, as Targett has emerged as a potential target for David Moyes.

Leeds, meanwhile, signed Gabriel Gudmundsson in the summer from Lille, who has excelled in his first year in England, with James Justin offering competition in that role.

However, either club could see Targett as a player to plug gaps anywhere across the back line, having played in the centre of defence on more than one occasion for Middlesbrough this season.

Kim Hellberg must secure Premier League promotion with Middlesbrough to boost Matt Targett's hopes amid Everton and Leeds interest

Should Middlesbrough remain a Championship club next season, their chances of signing Targett drastically decrease, as you would imagine, given Premier League interest, he will be aiming to play top-flight football next campaign.

However, promotion would significantly boost those chances, as the left-back would likely favour a permanent move to the Riverside in that instance, given the year he has enjoyed on Teesside.

Hellberg must therefore ensure promotion to the top-flight by any means is secured to stand any chance of securing a return for Targett next season.

With Everton and Leeds lurking, Middlesbrough didn't need much more reason to want promotion, but given this news, it will, hopefully for them, spur them on.