Middlesbrough could be looking to bolster their options in defence as reports suggest that they are interested in a move for Ghanaian Nathaniel Adjei.
According to a report in the Sun, the 21-year-old centre-back, who plays for Swedish side Hammarby, is the subject of intense transfer speculation, with Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Preston and Scotish giants Celtic and Rangers all vying for his signature.
Adjei has also-despite being right-footed-played on the left side of central defence, a position that has been a source of much discussion from Middlesbrough supporters, with Dael Fry the mainstay at the heart of Boro’s defence and Darragh Lenihan and Paddy McNair so far sharing the responsibility at left centre-back.
The Swedish league ends in November, so it is expected that the race for the towering centre-back will intensify as the January window nears.
Adjei fits Boro’s recruitment model
The defender cuts an imposing figure and stands at an impressive 6 feet and 2 inches. He would fit Boro’s recruitment model in as much as he would be a young player (between the age of 18-24) coming in on a permanent deal.
Middlesbrough brought in 12 players during the summer, with nine of them between 18 and 24. The other three were goalkeepers.
Michael Carrick, along with the recruitment team have already bought a highly rated centre-back this summer, purchasing Dutch Under 21 international Rav van den Berg, but he has filled in at right-back whilst Boro navigate a number of injury problems on their right-hand side.
The £3 million fee that has been reported for Adjei sounds respectable given today’s market and it would seem unlikely that it would be beyond Boro’s spending power, especially if-as per the summer-clubs show an interest in players like Paddy McNair. Should the move be successful, you would have to say that it could be a catalyst for one of Boro’s more senior players to move on. They would have Fry, McNair, van den Berg, Lenihan and Adjei in centre-back areas. With Anfernee Dijksteel also able to operate there.
It appears to be a very definite strategy from Middlesbrough to bring in players on permanent deals and therefore-unlike the loan players-don’t leave the Boro to return to parent clubs at the end of a season. They also become assets once they have developed and even if they do move on, the club benefits in some way via a transfer fee.
Carrick excels in progressing young players
Michael Carrick fits the Middlesbrough policy and can work within the framework perfectly, he is a young coach who excels in bringing players on and helping them progress, he has on numerous occasions expressed his delight at being able to work with young players.
There is no doubt, if Middlesbrough were to beat the competition for his signature, it would be a real coup, especially given that the likes of Celtic are in the Champions League. However, when van den Berg was signed, it was reported that the likes of Roma were interested, so stranger things have happened.
Centre-back Adjei was named player of the match in his last outing as Hammarby IF drew 0-0 against IFK Varnamo and his stock appears to be rising with each performance. If he is to move on, he must decide whether to swap the green and white of Hammarby for the green and white of Celtic, or choose one of the other offers on the table.
Fans on Teesside will be hoping he plumps for the Boro red instead.