There are now less than six days remaining in the summer transfer window and Middlesbrough are expecting more additions before deadline day.
Michael Carrick and Kieran Scott worked hard to get the majority of Boro’s summer business done early in the current window.
So far, Middlesbrough have signed five first-team players, while Harley Hunt has linked up with the club’s academy after signing from Swindon Town.
Luke Ayling, Delano Burgzorg, Aidan Morris, Micah Hamilton and Tommy Conway have all made permanent transfers to the Riverside Stadium in the last couple of months.
Conway was their latest addition, joining for £4.5m from Bristol City and could be in line for his first start when Middlesbrough face Portsmouth in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday, August 24th.
However, there are still a couple more additions that need to be made this month if Boro want to ensure they make a proper promotion push in 2024/25.
So, with that in mind, here’s what a dream end to the transfer window may look like at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough sign Ryan Giles
With less than a week of the transfer window to go, Boro have one clear transfer priority.
Alex Bangura has suffered another long-term injury, leaving Lukas Engel as the only senior left-back option at the club.
Middlesbrough want to sign a left-back this month and the dream option for that role is Ryan Giles.
The wing-back excelled in the North East during a loan spell in 2022/23, notching an impressive 11 assists in 45 Championship matches, with Carrick dubbing Giles ‘exciting’ during said loan.
Middlesbrough have been linked with Giles for much of the summer but a deal is yet to be completed.
Boro News understands Giles might still be an option for Carrick and co. but a deal would be expensive and Hull City need to change their stance on the player.
Should the 24-year-old sign though, it would be the dream end to the transfer window for Middlesbrough.
Josh Coburn and Alex Gilbert leave Middlesbrough
While there have been plenty of positives on the incomings front this summer, Boro still have some work to do when it comes to outgoings.
Millwall are interested in Josh Coburn, who has fallen down the pecking order on Teesside after the arrival of Conway.
Coburn still has potential to be a top Championship striker but a loan move this summer could be just what he needs after an injury-hit 2023/24.
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough are considering loaning out Alex Gilbert in order to give the 22-year-old more senior experience.
Gilbert played just 12 times in the league last term and is once again on the fringes of the Boro squad in 2024/25.
Like Coburn, the midfielder could still prove useful to Middlesbrough but unless he starts playing regularly, his development will stall.