Michael Carrick has spoken out on potential incomings at Middlesbrough ahead of August 30th.
There are now less than 48 hours of the 2024 summer transfer window remaining.
Middlesbrough kicked off the window in hectic fashion, signing Luke Ayling, Aidan Morris and Delano Burgzorg ahead of pre-season getting underway.
Harley Hunt then joined the club’s academy ranks before three more additions were made in August.
Middlesbrough paid £3.5m to Manchester City for Micah Hamilton before Tommy Conway joined from Bristol City a week later.
Boro have since completed their seventh signing of the summer this week, with Neto Borges joining from Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot 63 to provide some much-needed competition at left-back.
With the window set to slam shut at 11pm BST on Friday, there is hope that the Teessiders will make another signing.
Boro News understands Middlesbrough are in talks to sign a centre-back ahead of Deadline Day following an injury crisis in their backline.
- READ MORE: TalkSPORT pundit gives verdict on Middlesbrough summer transfer window, more signings expected
Michael Carrick gives Middlesbrough transfer update
However, recent comments from Michael Carrick suggest the club are not actually close to bringing in another defender.
Boro were hammered 5-0 by Stoke City on Tuesday evening, with their defensive frailties very much on show during the clash.
Despite that game making it clear Middlesbrough need to sign another centre-back, Carrick has claimed he was not chasing anything in particular in the market, as per Teesside Live.
He said: “Who knows. There’s still time and it is a crazy window that always gets busier towards the end. But, as I’ve said, I’m pretty calm, we’re happy with the group we’ve got and I’m definitely not chasing anything in particular.
“We’ll assess it in the next couple of days. But at the minute, there’s nothing much to say.”
Middlesbrough must sign a centre-back
Of course, there is always a chance Carrick is playing his cards close to his chest, not wanting to give too much away to other clubs.
But if his comments are true and Middlesbrough are not actively seeking a new centre-back, it could be detrimental to their promotion chances.
Darragh Lenihan and Daely Fry are yet to play a competitive game this season while Rav van den Berg has been out of action since the meeting with Derby County.
This leaves Matt Clarke are the only senior centre-back option going into the meeting with Cardiff City.
Clarke is a quality defender but as the draw with Portsmouth and loss to Stoke showcased, he cannot carry Boro’s backline alone.
Middlesbrough have created plenty of chances at the other end of the pitch in 2024/25 but their poor defending has cost them and it is obvious they now need reinforcements in that area.