Middlesbrough will need to dip into the transfer market this summer to replace goalkeeper Jamie Jones.
Middlesbrough began the 2024 summer transfer window well-stocked in the goalkeeper department.
Seny Dieng is expected to be Michael Carrick’s number one for the 2024/25 Championship season.
Behind him, Boro have Tom Glover, Sol Brynn, and Zach Hemming all competing to be number two.
Boro News understands Middlesbrough are not currently accepting loan offers for the latter two of that quartet.
Middlesbrough’s fifth keeper going into 2024/25 was supposed to be Jamie Jones.
Jones spent last term as the Teessiders’ third-choice and though his contract expired last month, he travelled to Portugal for Boro’s warm-weather training camp.
The 35-year-old was expected to pen fresh terms before the start of the new season but he has now joined Salford City on a free transfer.
Darren Randolph can replace Jamie Jones at Middlesbrough
Following Jones’ exit, it was reported that Middlesbrough will be forced into the transfer market to sign a new third-choice goalkeeper as none of Glover, Hemming or Brynn would be happy in the number three spot.
One player Middlesbrough could target to replace Jones this summer is Darren Randolph.
Randolph played 112 times for Boro between 2017-2020 and was one of the club’s best keepers since their relegation from the Premier League.
The 37-year-old most recently played for AFC Bournemouth but is now a free agent after his contract expired on July 1.
Given his age, Randolph should not be expecting to play regularly anymore and could be a quality option to replace Jones.
Middlesbrough still have goalkeeper issue
Even if a new third-choice keeper is signed soon, Middlesbrough still have some big decisions to make in their goalkeeper department.
All of Glover, Hemming and Brynn cannot compete for the number two place and with the latter two not available for another loan spell, at least one will need to be sold.
Glover is an Australian international and may wish to leave the Riverside in search of more regular minutes.
This could open the door for Hemming, who has featured in both of Middlesbrough’s pre-season games so far, to replace him as backup to Dieng.