Middlesbrough have shown interest in bringing Ryan Giles back to the Riverside this summer.
Boro enjoyed their best season since their relegation in 2017 during Michael Carrick’s first year at the club.
The former Manchester United midfielder took the reigns from Chris Wilder in October of 2022 with Middlesbrough on a terrible run of form.
But when all was said and done, the Teessiders were able to climb up to fourth in the Championship before losing to Coventry City in the play-off final.
One of the key players from that campaign was Ryan Giles, who spent 2022/23 on loan at the Riverside from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Giles dominated down the left-hand side for Boro, forming an excellent understanding with Riley McGree.
All told, the left-back provided 11 assists in 45 league outings for the North East outfit before returning to Wolves in the summer of 2023.
The Englishman left the Midlands outfit for Luton Town in that window and, most recently, joined Hull City on a permanent transfer.
Hull City owner provides Ryan Giles future update
A return to Teesside for the defender has been mooted this summer.
Tigers 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.
However, the Yorkshire outfit’s vice-chairman Tan Kesler then delivered a fresh transfer update on Giles, suggesting he would not be sold to Boro.
Now, the aforementioned Ilicali has once again been speaking about Giles and his future at the MKM Stadium.
As per Teesside Live, the Hull chief spoke at a Fans Forum event recently and made his stance on Giles leaving clear.
He said: “I like Giles. We’re happy with Giles. I hope he enjoys it with us and at the moment, he is not going.”
Middlesbrough must solve left-back issue
For the time being at least, Middlesbrough do not look set to re-sign Giles this month, though Ilicali’s wording did leave the door open for a move later in the window.
Regardless, Boro have a left-back issue now that Carrick probably should have addressed prior to this week.
The Teessiders kick off their Championship season on Saturday, August 10th, against Swansea City.
At present, Middlesbrough will go into the game with just one fit senior left-back in Lukas Engel.
Alex Bangura was expected to be used as backup to Engel but he picked up an injury in pre-season and is likely to be out for some time.
In Bangura’s absence, academy product George McCormick has been providing cover at left-back in pre-season.
However, McCormick is a natural centre-back and is still yet to play a competitive game for the Teessiders.
As a result, Boro’s promotion hopes will likely be boosted if they opt to sign another senior left-back in the coming weeks.