Middlesbrough are hopeful they can sell a ‘fantastic’ player this summer, as he has slipped down the pecking order.
Michael Carrick is looking to mastermind a return to the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, with last season’s eight-placed Championship finish somewhat disappointing.
Injuries played their part in Middlesbrough falling short of the play-offs, as well as the fact the club had to get used to life without Chuba Akpom following his move to Ajax.
Carrick will want to add to his squad this summer in a bid to get his side ready for a promotion push, but it may be that Boro have to be ruthless with some of their current players as they look to progress.
Latest reports suggest they could be set to do just that, with The Northern Echo reporting Carrick has sanctioned the sale of a player who has made 131 appearances for the club.
Middlesbrough looking to sell Anfernee Dijksteel this summer
Boro have already made their first signing of the summer, with last season’s loanee Luke Ayling joining permanently upon the expiration of his Leeds United contract.
That news looks as though it could signal the end of Anfernee Dijksteel‘s time at the club, with The Northern Echo reporting that Tommy Smith will be the back-up right-back upon his return from injury, leaving Dijksteel surplus to requirements.
The fact that the 27-year-old is about to enter the last year of his contract means it is a good time to move him on, rather than seeing the Suriname international leave for free in 2025.
With Smith’s Achilles injury and Ayling only joining on loan in January, Dijksteel did manage 20 Championship appearances under Carrick last campaign but the club will now look sell to free up space in the squad.
Dijksteel a loyal servant to Middlesbrough
If Dijksteel is to depart this summer it will be through little fault of his own as he has been a reliable performer since joining from Charlton Athletic in 2019.
Primarily a right-back, Dijksteel’s versatility has been a useful asset across his time on Teesside as he has also played regularly as a centre-back and made the occasional appearance at right midfield.
He will leave the club with no ill-will from Carrick, who was full of praise for the defender as he stepped up to replace Smith when he sustained his Achilles injury in April 2023.
Speaking on Dijksteel’s performance after that game, Carrick said: “He was fantastic.
“I’m really, really genuinely pleased for Anf because he’s had a tough run and hasn’t had a lot of game-time because Tommy has played so well.
“He’s deserved to play because he’s trained well and been there. He’s probably not been my biggest fan at times and rightly so, he hasn’t showed it mind, he’s every right to have a bit of dislike towards me because I haven’t picked him, and he’s probably deserved to be picked for how he’s trained and his attitude.”
With Ayling signing and Smith returning, the frustrations Carrick referenced over a year ago would be set to return so a move makes sense for all involved.