Middlesbrough are continuing to monitor a Championship star and could move for him in the current transfer window.
After an 8th place finish in the Championship last season, Middlesbrough will be looking to kick on and make a push for promotion in the forthcoming campaign.
Since the arrival of Michael Carrick at the Riverside, Boro have been much smarter in how they conduct their transfer business.
The Teessiders previously struggled to target players who could add any real value to a team and, more importantly, fit the manager’s vision.
With Carrick and Kieran Scott working together, however, the North East outfit are building a squad of players who fit the manager’s system perfectly.
The likes of Emmanuel Latte Lath and Sam Silvera have embedded into the team well since their arrivals last summer, with the former netting 16 goals in 30 Championship appearances.
Boro have continued to strengthen in the current window with Luke Ayling and Delano Burgzorg already completing permanent moves earlier this month.
Middlesbrough continue to monitor Ryan Giles
Aidan Morris is expected to be confirmed as the club’s third signing of the summer next week but Boro could still add further additions before the 2024/25 season gets underway.
One player believed to be on the radar of the North East outfit this summer is left-back, Ryan Giles.
According to Dominic Shaw of the Northern Echo, Middlesbrough ‘will continue to monitor’ the situation of Giles throughout the window.
The defender spent the second half of 2023/24 on loan at Hull City, who have the option to make the move permanent.
However, the Tigers are yet to take up that option and Shaw adds that even if the transfer does go through, there remains an element of uncertainty about Giles’ position at the MKM Stadium after their managerial change.
Middlesbrough would prefer a loan move for Giles, but his future is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.
Should Middlesbrough re-sign Ryan Giles
Giles spent 2022/23 on loan in Teesside, playing a crucial role in Carrick’s side finishing in the play-off spots that term.
The 24-year-old provided 11 assists in 45 games for Boro and fits the profile of the type of attack-minded full-back Carrick wants in his side.
However, while Giles has proven his quality for the Reds in the past, a move in the current window may not be best for all parties.
Middlesbrough signed Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura last summer to fill the void left by Giles, with both proving stellar additions.
The latter’s campaign was hampered by injury but the duo showed glimpses of what they can bring to Carrick’s squad, especially at the back end of the campaign when Boro lost just one in 12.
In turn, unless Middlesbrough can get Giles back on a loan deal, the club may be better served focusing their transfer funds on other areas of the pitch.