One Middlesbrough summer transfer target did something incredible on Wednesday evening.
Boro had a good 2024 summer transfer window that saw Michael Carrick able to sign nine new players.
Several of those players have already shone on Teesside, with George Edmundson potentially Middlesbrough’s signing of the summer.
The likes of Aidan Morris and Ben Doak have also been standout performers in Boro’s first eight Championship fixtures of 2024/25.
While recruitment was solid in the most recent transfer window, Middlesbrough missed out on some big targets over the last few months.
Middlesbrough were linked with Ryan Giles for much of the summer but he remained at Hull City.
Elsewhere, in the final few weeks of the transfer window, Middlesbrough were interested in Tom Cannon of Leicester City.
However, the striker decided against a switch to the Riverside and instead moved to Stoke City on loan.
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Middlesbrough transfer target Tom Cannon scores four
Cannon had a somewhat slow start to life with the Potters. He failed to score in his opening three Championship appearances.
He also only played 45 minutes and did little of note when Middlesbrough beat Stoke City 2-0 this past weekend.
Now, however, after Stoke faced Portsmouth in a league tie on Wednesday, Cannon has seemingly found his best form.
The centre-forward scored a staggering four goals in the 6-1 victory on Wednesday evening and was labelled ‘talented’ by manager Narcis Pelach post-match, as per Stoke on Trent Live.
It was a very impressive return and something no Middlesbrough player has done for 66 years.
The last Boro star to score four or more goals in a single game was Brian Clough versus Brighton and Hove Albion on August 23rd, 1958.
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Why Middlesbrough should not have Tom Cannon transfer regret
Missing out on a player who scored four in one league game may seem like a big blow, but Middlesbrough should be happy with the attacking business they did over the summer.
Though he is currently out injured, Tommy Conway has been ‘dangerous’ for Boro since his £4.5m summer move from Bristol City.
The striker has already found the net twice in the Championship despite his limited minutes and looks set to be a key player for the Teessiders.
Unlike Stoke, the North East outfit already had a very well-established, quality number nine ahead of the 2024/25 season as well.
Emmanuel Latte Lath scored 16 league goals last season, meaning Boro’s need for a new striker was not that great once Conway arrived.
Cannon could, of course, go on to have a prolific campaign with Stoke but for the time being, it does not look to be too much of a missed opportunity despite his performance on Wednesday.