Reports have emerged that suggest Middlesbrough could make a surprise move for Leeds United’s long-serving defender Luke Ayling.
Sky Sports delivered the news that Ayling could be allowed to leave Elland Road after failing to feature for the Yorkshire club since November. He is also out of contract at the end of the season.
It is no secret that Boro-who are currently without a specialist right-back due to injuries to Anfernee Dijksteel and Tommy Smith-are likely to be in the market for a full-back during this transfer window, but few would have predicted that Ayling would be one of those who could make the move up the A1.
It may surprise some Leeds fans to learn of Ayling’s apparent availability. He has been with the club since 2016 and has made a huge contribution to the club and it’s success in recent years. He has made 267 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and creating 21 assists.
Ayling brings experience
The 32-year-old, who has bags of experience has featured 14 times this season, but has fallen foul of the club’s emerging talent Archie Gray. Gray’s attacking prowess has seen him preferred over Ayling and manager Daniel Farke may decide that the best option is to allow one of Leeds’ most loyal servants to move on and get game time at a crucial period in his career. At 32, he still has plenty to offer and may see the chance of helping another club to promotion as the challenge he needs at this juncture in his footballing journey.
The recruitment model in place at Boro is aimed at bringing younger, ambitious players in, but Michael Carrick and his coaching team could welcome the addition of another experienced and consummate professional to help with the development his young squad.
Ayling would be joining another former Leeds player in Jonny Howson and would also resume a footballing relationship with Sam Greenwood who is on loan at Boro from the Whites.
If the opportunity is there to bring Ayling to Teesside, it would be presumably seen by fans as a shrewd move; he brings plenty of Championship know-how, he knows how to defend but also is adept at supporting attacks from the full-back position. He also chips in with goals and has demonstrated his leadership skills having captained Leeds United numerous times and is this season’s vice-captain.
With a busy schedule of league and cup games ahead, Middlesbrough will look to explore the January market for at least one defender (possibly two) as well as monitoring the availability of strikers who become available.