Middlesborough are set to turn their attention to signing a new centre-midfielder this summer.
With Luke Ayling making his loan move permanent on Monday, Middlesbrough have already started their summer business despite the fact the transfer window is not even officially open yet.
With right-back sorted, Michael Carrick is said to want to quickly add a new central midfield player to his ranks ahead of a season in which he hopes to guide Boro to promotion.
The fact that Matt Crooks departed the club for the MLS earlier this year and Lewis O’Brien will now return to parent club Nottingham Forest only increases the need for midfield recruits.
When you add Hayden Hackney‘s expected departure into the mix, it could be that one midfielder won’t be enough.
With that in mind, here are three centre midfielders Boro should be looking at this summer.
Jordan James could rejuvenate Middlesbrough midfield
The first player Middlesbrough should consider is Birmingham City’s Jordan James.
The 19-year-old has been impressive despite his side’s struggles this season, scoring eight Championship goals.
With Birmingham suffering relegation to the third tier, Boro could swoop in for the Wales international with assurances over game time as well as the ambition to get to the Premier League likely vital at this stage of James’ career.
Wales manager Rob Page is a huge fan of the youngster, and said of him in September 2023 “He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it …”
“He ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that.”
Given Boro’s financial situation and their Championship status, they cannot afford to sign players who are always the finished article and James represents a player with the potential to help the club reach the promised land of the Premier League.
His ability to play as either the deepest midfielder, a box-to-box number eight, or an attacking midfielder also make him a really attractive option for Carrick.
Wolves and Everton are both said to be interested in a move for James, but they are unlikely to be able to offer the Birmingham man as clear a pathway to regular first-team football.
Preston’s Alan Browne available for free
Another player Boro should already be looking at is Preston captain Alan Browne.
The 29-year-old has been at the Deepdale club for a decade but looks set to seek a new challenge as he does not look likely to sign a new deal and his contract expires on 1st June.
Similarly to James, Browne is versatile and can play any role in the midfield.
Unlike James, though, Browne has experience in abundance with 35 Ireland caps and 414 Preston appearances according to Transfermarkt.
As well as his footballing ability, Carrick’s squad could really benefit from Browne’s leadership qualities as they look to navigate another long Championship season.
A free transfer, there seems no reason Boro would not go for Browne.
Shandon Baptiste could drop down from Premier League
The third and final midfielder Boro could consider is Brentford’s Shandon Baptiste.
The 26-year-old played 23 Premier League games in 2022/23 according to Transfermarkt, but managed just ten league appearances this season as he found himself down the pecking order.
More of a destroyer than the other two midfielders mentioned previously, Baptiste could add some real steel to the Boro midfield and would actually compliment both well if Carrick is minded to pursue two players in the middle of the pitch.
The former Oxford United man’s contract is set to expire this summer, but the club do have the option of triggering a one-year extension.
Even if they do take up this option, Baptiste should be available for a relatively cheap fee and is likely to be within Boro’s price range.