Middlesbrough are actively looking to sign a new left-back this summer.
Alex Bangura joined Middlesbrough from Dutch side SC Cambuur in September 2023.
The 25-year-old was brought to the Riverside Stadium alongside Lukas Engel as Michael Carrick aimed to bolster his left-back position.
Both players brought European experience to the club and big things were expected of them in the previous campaign.
Engel took some time to adjust to the Championship but eventually became Boro’s starting left-back.
Bangura, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to life on Teesside, in part due to injury issues.
He played just 14 league games last term and has picked up another injury that will see him sidelined for some time in the 2024/25 Championship season.
In turn, Boro News understands Middlesbrough are looking to sign a left-back this summer and could explore the loan market to do so.
With this in mind, here are three left-backs Middlesbrough could sign to replace Bangura…
Ryan Giles
The obvious choice and clear fan favourite to replace Bangura this season is Ryan Giles.
Giles spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Boro from Wolverhampton Wanderers where he quickly established himself as a top star.
The defender managed to provide 11 assists in the league as Carrick and co. reached the play-off semi-finals.
Giles has since signed for Hull City in the current window but his long-term future with the Tigers remains up in the air.
Owner Acun Ilicali revealed Hull’s stance on Giles moving to Middlesbrough last month, stating they would let the Englishman join Boro if he wanted to.
It remains to be seen if a deal will be completed before deadline day on August 30th but a Giles return would boost Middlesbrough’s promotion chances a great deal.
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy joined Newcastle United in 2022 from Irish outfit, Galway United.
Murphy has since become a regular feature for the Magpies at U21 level, assisting two in 25 games.
A permanent transfer for the 20-year-old is unlikely but as mentioned above, Boro are open to loaning a left-back this summer.
Murphy would add something different to Carrick’s backline as his height and strength mean he is also a very capable centre-back, giving Middlesbrough the option to play three at the back or play more defensively in their standard back-four when trying to see out a game.
Josh Tymon
Josh Tymon joined Swansea City from Stoke City in January 2023 and has since become a key figure for Luke Williams’ side.
Like Giles, Tymon would provide a serious attacking threat down the left-hand side for Middlesbrough.
Despite Swansea finishing in the bottom half in 2023/24, Tymon was able to provide an impressive six assists from left-back.
Should he sign for a Middlesbrough team who are expected to be fighting for a top-six place in 2024/25, the 25-year-old could easily match Giles’ assist tally from two seasons ago.