According to reports, Middlesbrough are targeting the addition of three more players before next Friday’s transfer deadline.
Dominic Shaw, a writer for The Northern Echo, explained that the club are hopeful of securing yet more new faces in addition to the nine new players that have already signed for the club.
The areas that Michael Carrrick is hopeful of strengthening are a central-midfielder, a central-attacking midfielder and another striker. Those areas have been identified as the positions that need attention and looking at the current squad depth, there are gaps there.
The club has brought in a striker in Emannuel Latte Lath, but other than Josh Coburn-who could go out on loan if they strengthen-he is the only specialist centre-forward at the club. So there is an obvious need to bring in another striker.
In central-midfield, Boro could be looking for a player in a similar mould to Alex Mowatt, who proved effective at the tail end of last season after Howson got injured.
The reason for moving for another central attacking midfielder can only be attributed to the loss of Chuba Akpom, although Morgan Rogers has shown encouraging signs of developing in that role.
Permanent Boro signings
It would represent an extremely busy summer for Middlesbrough who have basically rebuilt the side from scratch after seeing integral loan players return to their parent club and Chuba Akpom make a big move to European giants Ajax.
What the club have attempted to do this summer, is make sure the bulk of their business has been for permanent players that will act as a mainstay for the club and form the basis for their success. It also means that if they do move on, the club receives a fee that will help with sustainability.
It appears that the club will continue to look for players on permanent deals in the remainder of the window, but some Premier League players have caught the eye and a temporary loan deal for players such as Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden, who is not currently under first team consideration for the Magpies can not be ruled out.