Brighton face Eiran Cashin call: Derby, Middlesbrough & Sheffield United must be on alert | OneFootball

Derby County, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield United must react if Brighton and Hove Albion make Eiran Cashin available

Brighton has a big call to make on the future of Irish defender Eiran Cashin. Should the 24-year-old be allowed to move on this summer, FLW has taken a look at three EFL clubs that should be on alert for his services.

Cashin, having come through the ranks at Derby County, would go on to make 144 appearances for the Rams across spells in League One and the Championship, and eventually join Brighton in January 2025 for around £9 million.

However, since his move to the South Coast, the defender, who is capable either in the heart of defence or on the left, has made just two first-team appearances for the Seagulls and spent last campaign out on loan in the second tier with Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

During his time at Ewood Park, Cashin heavily impressed, and upon his return to the Amex this summer, German boss Fabian Hürzeler has a big decision to make about his future.

Under contract with Brighton until the summer of 2030, a loan move seems the most likely outcome for Cashin, as FLW has taken a look at three clubs that should be monitoring his situation in case a window of opportunity emerges.

Derby County

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A return to where it all began for Cashin would be a move that would be welcomed by huge sections of Derby supporters.

Under the guidance of John Eustace, Derby narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs last time around, and now, many are tipping the club to break into the top eight once again next time around.

With Callum Elder having left the club and Craig Forsyth not getting any younger, the addition of Charlie Taylor will provide another option for Derry Murkin at left-back for the Rams.

However, as another solid option in that position, as well as providing strong competition for Matt Clarke, Dion Sanderson, and Sondre Langas in the heart of defence, Cashin would be an ideal option for Derby this summer.

Having sealed permanent moves for both Bobby Clark and Sammie Szmodics, as well as awaiting the outcome of Turki Alalshikh's investment deal into the club, it's unclear how much money Derby have in their funds this summer, with a loan move being the most likely avenue for the club to explore.

Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough are enjoying an excellent summer window thus far, having completed deals for the likes of Myles Peart-Harris, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph, and Will Lankshear, the latter joining in a potentially £20 million deal from Spurs.

Boro, under the watch of Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg, narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, slipping out of the automatic promotion places in the final weeks of the campaign, before losing out to Hull City in the play-off final.

Hellberg will be keen to right those wrongs, and having seen the likes of Matt Targett, Dael Fry, and Darragh Lenihan leave the club following the expiry of their loans and contracts, additions at the back are a necessity before the end of the window.

USA international Max Arfsten looks set to add another option at left-back, though with former Stoke City loanee and current Spurs centre-back Ashley Phillips of reported interest to Boro, a centre-back appears to be on the cards this summer.

As a loan option, capable of filling in at left-back or in the middle of defence, Cashin would be a wonderful option for Boro, adding a more defensive-minded player at left-back in comparison to the forward-thinking Arfsten.

Again, a loan seems the most likely avenue for Boro to explore, despite their obvious funds, as Hellberg's side should join the queue in case he becomes available over the coming weeks.

Sheffield United

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Sheffield United's squad is in need of major reconstruction this summer, with as many as 12 players having already left the club following the end of last season, having either returned to their parent clubs, seeing their loans expire, been sold, or been loaned out.

Of those departures include Ben Mee, Leo Hjelde, and Tyler Bindon, who each leave a gap needing to be filled at Bramall Lane, whilst head coach Chris Wilder has admitted that both Mark McGuinness and Nils Zatterstrom are not in the clubs plans moving forward, despite both having been signed just a year ago.

This leaves just Japhet Tanganga and Jamal Baptiste as the only options for Wilder in the heart of defence in South Yorkshire, as the 58-year-old must look to address this issue as soon as possible.

With parachute payments having ran out, the Blades cannot spend as they have been able to over the past couple of years, making a permanent swoop for Cashin close to impossible.

Interest in Leicester City's Harry Souttar indicates Wilder's intention of adding reinforcements in that area, as they should turn their attentions to Cashin instead.

Capable of playing on the left next to Tanganga, or at left-back instead of Harrison Burrows or Sam McCallum, Cashin would provide another option for Wilder with Sheffield United, and on loan, would be an excellent addition.