Middlesbrough secured their first signing of the close-season on Monday, making Luke Ayling’s loan deal permanent ahead of next season.
Manager Michael Carrick will be keen for the club to get their business done early this summer so that he can have a full pre-season with his new players, as well as get to grips with life without any players that depart.
Hayden Hackney is one such player who could leave the club, with goalkeeper Seny Dieng another said to be the subject of Premier League interest.
Regardless of any outgoings, latest reports suggest Middlesbrough already know where to turn their attention following Ayling kicking off their summer business.
Luke Ayling could be joined by new Middlesbrough midfielder
Carrick will be delighted to know he will be able to call on Ayling again next season, with the 32-year-old becoming an integral member of his side last campaign.
Now, though, the focus is said to be on getting a midfielder through the door, with Teesside Live reporting: ‘Boro are believed to be in the market for a central midfielder, attacking midfield/forward and a striker.’
The news outlet went onto highlight that the centre of midfield is the priority, with the club feeling they can afford to wait and make sure they get the striker signing right given the form of Emanuel Latte Lath towards the back-end of 2023/24
Last season, 36-year-old Jonny Howson was the centre midfielder who played the most for Boro, with 43 appearances in all competitions according to Transfermarkt.
Aside from Howson, Hackney, Dan Barlaser, on-loan Lewis O’Brien and now-departed Matt Crooks all featured in midfield but given Howson’s age, O’Brien returning to Nottingham Forest and Crooks now playing in America, recruits are needed.
What positions will Michael Carrick look to add this summer?
As alluded to, midfield is the priority this summer, as well as striker.
The report in Teesside Live suggests Carrick could be willing to give Josh Coburn another chance as second fiddle to Latte Lath, but also that a loan deal for Tottenham Hotspurs’ Will Lankshear could be an option.
With 19-year-old Ran van den Berg also likely to be the subject of Premier League interest and Paddy McNair having left upon the expiration of his contract, a centre-back or perhaps even two could come in.
If Dieng is to leave then a goalkeeper signing will be needed, although returning loan duo Zach Hemming and Sol Brynn could stake their claim.
More firepower could be sought too, with a winger likely to be on Carrick’s wishlist.