With last year’s loan signing, Ryan Giles yet to decide his future, Middlesbrough are said to be exploring alternative options in the left-back/left wing-back positions. It comes as reports suggest that Giles-seemingly surplus to requirements at Wolverhampton Wanderers-is the subject of a tussle between Middlesbrough and newly promoted Luton Town.
Ryan Giles had an amazing season last season, and although all is not lost, common sense would dictate that Boro need to brace themselves for losing out to the financial clout that Luton will have acquired and the allure of the glitz and pizzaz of the world renowned Premier League.
According to a tweet from Mike McGrath, a football writer at The Daily Telegraph, Middlesbrough have held talks with Dutch club SC Cambuur regarding a deal to sign their captain Alex Bangura. The Sierra Leone winger would allegedly cost the club around £500,000. A considerable amount less than the reported £5 million that has been quoted for Ryan Giles. The club have recently lost opposite full-back Tommy Smith to injury and so they can not afford to place all of their effort and commitment into the pursuit of one player, only to ultimately lose out. Especially when they are likely to be looking to fill more than one position.
Bangura is a left-back come left-winger and would suit the way that Boro played last season, with the left full-back playing high up the pitch and helping to support attacks.
SC Cambuur were relegated from Eredivisie last season and so may look to cash in on some of their assets. When you factor in that Bangura has entered the final year of his current deal, then it makes sense that both clubs would be able to find some sort of agreeable arrangement. The left-sided player also once again fits the recruitment model of a player who is 24-years-old or younger.
Gazette Live reported that Bangura made clear his intentions regarding a move away from the club, telling the Dutch Media, “The club knows how I feel about it. Now is the time. There are no offers yet, but should a nice club present itself, then I could leave, yes.”
The Sierra Leone capped player made 29 appearances for SC Cambuur last season, scoring once and assiting 3 times during a difficult campaign for the club. He also received 5 yellow cards and one red card, so the rigors and the physical implications of the Championship may not present as big a hurdle as it does for others making the move.
Middlesbrough will need to move fast as it is highly unlikely that they are the only club who will be interested in the 24-year-old’s signature.