Middlesbrough should beat a Championship rival to the signing of a Manchester City player who could replace Jonny Howson at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough signed Jonny Howson from Norwich City in the summer of 2017.
Boro had just been relegated from the Premier League and Steve Gibson spent close to £50m on players in a bid to go straight back up.
The majority of those signings, including Middlesbrough flop Martin Braithwaite, did not work out.
However, Howson has cemented himself as one of the club’s best players from the last decade.
The Boro captain has made 318 appearances for the North East outfit during his time at the Riverside Stadium.
He has also become something of a fan favourite, winning the Middlesbrough Player of the Year award twice in the last few years.
But Howson is now 36 years of age and out of contract with Boro next summer, meaning the 2024/25 Championship season will likely be his last for Michael Carrick’s side.
Middlesbrough should rival Cardiff for Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson
With Howson coming toward the end of his playing career, Carrick will need to start thinking about replacing him.
And one of Boro’s Championship rivals may have already found the perfect replacement for the veteran midfielder.
Wales Online report Cardiff City have registered an interest in 21-year-old Manchester City midfielder, Alex Robertson.
Portsmouth, who Robertson spent 2023/24 on loan with, are also thought to be keen on his services.
Robertson is now in the final year of his contract, which will likely reduce his transfer fee.
What Alex Robertson would bring to Middlesbrough
Robertson excelled during his loan stint at Portsmouth, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Championship.
The Australian is a natural number 10 but was deployed in a deeper role last season, receiving high praise from Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, as per Man City’s club website.
He said: “He’s been playing a position we knew he could play in, but one we didn’t necessarily bring him in to play.
“So now playing as one of our holding midfielders, one of our sixes, where he’s excelled – he’s been excellent.
“[He’s] established himself in the team, become one of our best players and for his first loan in this country he’s done really well.”
As well as being versatile, Robertson boasts strong passing and dribbling skills, with his progressive passing a real asset and something Carrick looks for in his midfielders.