Middlesborough fans should brace themselves for another busy summer.
Following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season in which Boro suffered a painful play-off semi-final defeat to Coventry City the club signed 16 players either on loan or permanently.
This was needed, as Michael Carrick also saw nine players leave, with 28 goal Chuba Akpom’s departure for Ajax the most notable of these.
As the dust settles on a season in which Boro finished four points off the play-offs in eighth, they will already be beginning to assess how they can strengthen in the summer.
First, though, they must consider who is likely to leave Teeside, with seven players in their ranks who may have played their last games for the club.
Hayden Hackney expected to leave Middlesbrough for Premier League
The player Boro fans will undoubtedly be saddest to see go is 21-year-old academy product Hayden Hackney.
The midfielder has made his way through the Boro ranks and cemented himself as a starter, even winning the North East Football Writer’s Young Player of the Year Award award in 2023.
You could argue that the England under-21 international perhaps did not kick on quite as expected this season, but injuries played their part in this.
In January it wasreported that the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were eyeing up a summer move for the youngster and with clubs of this magnitude circling Carrick will accept Hackney is likely to move on.
Hackney may not be alone in making the jump to the Premier League this summer, as goalkeeper Seny Dieng is also expected to generate a lot of interest.
The stopper only joined last summer, but has been outstanding as he has kept ten Championship clean sheets and conceded just 47 goals this season according to Transfermarkt.
This has attracted the attention of the Premier League, with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace reportedly considering a move.
If Dieng is to move on, Boro can expect to turn a quick profit on the fee believed to be in the region of £2 million they paid for him less than a year ago.
Middlesbrough could look to free up squad space
Where Hackney and Dieng will be players Carrick will not want to see leave, there are a handful of individuals within his squad the former Manchester Untied player will likely be looking to move on.
One player who certainly fits this description is Matthew Hoppe.
Since joining the club in 2022, the USA striker has managed just six appearances, failing to score in this time, and has not appeared since returning from his loan spell in the MLS at the end of December.
25-year-old Hayden Coulsen is also expected to be moved on, having spent the second-half of this season on loan at Blackpool.
Carrick could see fit to sell two right-backs this summer, meaning the club will be three right backs worse off than this season as Luke Ayling’s loan has also come to an end.
However, Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel have both fallen out of favour at the club, with Carrick likely to want an upgrade in their position.
Finally, Boro may see fit to try and find a buyer for Australia international Riley McGree.
The left winger has scored four league goals in the Championship this season, as well as providing one assist, but does not appear to fit the Boro manager’s style of play which could see his future lie elsewhere.