A Championship manager has opened the door to signing a Middlesbrough player on a permanent basis.
Middlesbrough are gearing up for the 2024/25 Championship campaign, once again eyeing a promotion push.
Michael Carrick has been working closely with Steve Gibson and Kieran Scott to fine-tune his squad in order to have the best chance possible of returning to the Premier League.
Four new faces have already arrived on Teesside, while a few players have also left the Riverside Stadium.
The latest Middlesbrough exit saw Sammy Silvera join newly promoted Portsmouth on a season-long loan deal.
Silvera joined Boro from Australian outfit Central Coast in the summer of 2023 and played 42 games in the previous campaign.
However, a lot of those minutes came off the bench, with the winger loaned to Portsmouth in order to give him more regular minutes.
Portsmouth boss opens door to permanent Sammy Silvera transfer
When Middlesbrough loaned Silvera to Portsmouth, it was reported that the deal would not include an option to purchase, with Boro keen to asses him upon his return to the club next year.
However, recent comments on the part of Portsmouth manager John Mousinho suggest a permanent switch cannot be fully ruled out.
Speaking to Portsmouth News, Mousinho mentioned that Middlesbrough are keen to have the Australian back, but ‘you never know’ what is going to happen.
The Portsmouth boss also mentioned how the club wanted to sign Silvera last summer before Boro swooped in.
He said: “I think Middlesbrough are really keen on having him back.
“You never know what’s going to happen off the back of that, but the reason it was a loan and not a permanent is because Middlesbrough see this as a really good step for Sam to go out and play as many games as he can in the Championship.
“It helped because of the fact we done a lot of work on him last season, and the only thing which prevented us signing him was Middlesbrough coming in and doing the business.”
Silvera exit leaves Middlesbrough short of wingers
While Silvera’s long-term future is unlikely to be decided anytime soon, his temporary departure does leave Middlesbrough lacking depth on the flanks.
Sam Greenwood, who was the Teessiders’ main left-winger in 2023/24, departed Boro at the end of his loan last season.
Delano Burgzorg has since been signed from Mainz 05 but even with the addition of the Dutchman, Carrick is short of options.
Burgzorg is likely to start the season on the left wing but his only natural backup at present is Alex Gilbert.
Gilbert has even less experience than Silvera, meaning Middlesbrough may be well served bringing in another wide option before the close of the transfer window next month.