Middlesbrough are close to agreeing their first sale of the 2024 summer transfer window.
Middlesbrough have already seen two senior players leave the club this summer, with Paddy McNair and Liam Roberts departing as free agents.
There could still be further outgoings at the Riverside this summer though, as Michael Carrick looks to shake up his squad ahead of another promotion push in 2024/25.
Right-back Anfernee Dijksteel has been made available for sale by the Championship outfit.
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough’s Sporting Director, Kieran Scott, has said that Boro have received interest from Premier League clubs for Hayden Hackney.
Question marks also remain over Boro’s goalkeeping department after Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming returned from loan spells last month to join Seny Dieng and Tom Glover in competing for regular football.
Now, it appears another senior Middlesbrough player could be on his way out of the club this summer.
Dan Barlaser edging towards Middlesbrough exit
News broke earlier this week that Turkish outfit Trabzonspor had made an offer to Middlesbrough for the signing of Dan Barlaser, as well as reaching out to the player personally.
Now, in something of a surprise move, a fresh update on the situation suggests Barlaser’s departure is more than likely to happen.
Speaking on Turkish outlet 61saat’s YouTube channel, journalist Hasan Tuncel stated that there is not much difference between the figure Trabzonspor offered for the midfielder and the sum Boro are willing to sell him for.
Tuncel added that sources close to the 27-year-old believe there is no problem that cannot be solved when it comes to getting a transfer done.
He said: “There is not much difference between the figure given by Trabzonspor for Dan Barlaser and the figure requested by Middlesbrough.
“I reached sources close to the player and they said that there is no problem that cannot be solved, but Trabzonspor is pushing other local names for that region.”
Why are Middlesbrough open to selling Dan Barlaser
Middlesbrough’s apparent willingness to sell Barlaser may come as a shock to some Boro fans.
Midfield is an area the Teessiders have looked to strengthen this summer, with Aidan Morris expected to sign for the club next week.
But even with Morris’ addition, the North East outfit are somewhat short on depth in that area.
36-year-old Jonny Howson remains a regular starter for the club – something that, realistically, cannot continue for much longer.
Hayden Hackney has also been the subject of Premier League interest over the last few months and his sale would seriously hamper Boro’s promotion chances.
In turn, it may seem like a strange decision to allow Barlaser to leave, especially after he was dubbed ‘fantastic’ by Carrick earlier this year, as per Teesside Live.
But with academy starlet Law McCabe breaking into the first-team last season, Carrick may be looking to cash in on Barlaser to raise transfer funds while, at the same time, providing an avenue for McCabe to garner more senior experience.