Middlesbrough should look to sign a former Premier League striker to help Aidan Morris reach his full potential on Teesside.
Middlesbrough are set to confirm Aidan Morris as their third signing of the 2024 summer transfer window soon.
Boro will pay MLS outfit Columbus $4m (£3.16m) to bring Morris to the Riverside as their latest signing following the capture of Luke Ayling from Leeds United and Delano Burgzorg from Mainz 05.
Morris has explained how Michael Carrick convinced him to join Middlesbrough in a recent interview, speaking of his admiration for Carrick and how the former Manchester United star sold a Boro move to him.
The 22-year-old midfielder is not expected to be the North East outfit’s final signing this summer though, with a striker said to be a priority for Middlesbrough now Morris’ deal is all but wrapped up.
Middlesbrough should sign former Premier League striker Cucho Hernandez
Middlesbrough have not had the best of luck with strikers throughout their history, with Chuba Akpom the only player to hit 20+ goals in a season for the Teessiders in the last 26 years.
Akpom has since departed for Ajax and has been replaced in the eleven by Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Latte Lath scored 16 goals for the North East outfit during the 2023/24 campaign but did endure a slow start to life at the Riverside.
In turn, Carrick will likely want to add another consistent goalscorer to his squad before deadline day on August 30.
One player Middlesbrough should consider targeting is Columbus Crew and four-time capped Colombia international, Cucho Hernandez.
Hernandez has previously played in England with Watford, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 25 Premier League outings for the Hornets.
For his current side, meanwhile, the 25-year-old has produced 44 goals and 14 assists in 71 games across all competitions.
Cucho Hernandez can unlock Aidan Morris potential at Middlesbrough
As well as proving himself a prolific goalscorer for Columbus Crew, Hernandez could also unlock Aidan Morris’ full potential at Middlesbrough.
Foreign players often need time to adjust to the rough and tumble nature of the Championship, especially those battling it out in the middle of the park.
But if Boro were to sign Hernandez, it would no doubt make the midfielder’s transition into Carrick’s team a lot smoother.
Morris has primarily been used as a sitting midfielder for Columbus Crew and will likely be deployed in a similar role at the Riverside.
Despite not being used in a predominately attacking role though, Morris has five assists in the MLS this term, including two in his last two games.
Both of those assists set up Hernandez, with the pair clearly forming an excellent understanding of one another during their time in the United States.
As a result, Boro should pursue a move for Hernandez because if he and Morris can rekindle that partnership at the Riverside, it would no doubt boost the club’s Championship promotion hopes.
At the same time, a move for Hernandez would solve Boro’s need for centre-forward reinforcements.
Hernandez also has just over 12 months left on his current contract, meaning Middlesbrough may be able to sign him for under his market value.