Middlesbrough should convince a Premier League manager to make a U-turn on one player so they can strengthen a priority area.
Middlesbrough are gearing up for another campaign in the Championship with Michael Carrick at the helm.
Carrick welcomed the majority of his players back for the beginning of pre-season last week, with the focus now on earning promotion to the Premier League.
In a bid to end their seven-year wait for a return to the top flight, Boro have already completed three transfers this summer.
After providing eight assists in 19 games while on loan in 2023/24, Luke Ayling is back at the club on a permanent basis.
Elsewhere, the Teessiders have strengthened their midfield with the addition of Aidan Morris and added firepower to their attack with Delano Burgzorg.
Jay Stansfield can solve priority transfer issue
With three new faces through the door, it is understood that the striker position remains a priority for Middlesbrough this summer as they aim to push for promotion.
Emmanuel Latte Lath scored 16 goals in 30 Championship games last term but Boro are looking to add further depth up front.
One player Middlesbrough should look to target in this area is Jay Stansfield, who impressed on loan with Birmingham City last season.
Stansfield has now returned to his parent club, Fulham, and Marco Silva has stated he wants to keep the striker at Craven Cottage in 2024/25, as per the Evening Standard.
He said: “He’s going to be back with us. Now is the moment for him to come back and be one of the players in our attacking line for next season.”
What Stansfield can bring to Middlesbrough
However, Boro should aim to convince Silva to overturn his decision to keep Stansfield at Fulham in the coming campaign.
The Premier League outfit already have Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz competing for the number nine role, leaving the 21-year-old with little chance of regular football.
At Middlesbrough, however, Stansfield would be guaranteed more time on the pitch, which he will need to develop at his age.
Despite playing for a Birmingham side who were relegated, the Englishman was able to score 12 league goals in 2023/24.
That is seven more than Boro’s current backup option Josh Coburn and only four less than Latte Lath.
Given Middlesbrough are a much better team than Birmingham where last season, Stansfield would no doubt improve on that tally if he made the move to the Riverside.
