The January transfer window may have passed but Middlesbrough are already planning to make additions to their squad ahead of the summer.
Michael Carrick’s side had aspirations of reaching the playoffs for the second season running, but injuries to key players and an inconsistent run of form have seen them fall 11 points behind sixth-place Hull City.
Boro are now looking over their shoulders instead of up as nine points separate them from the relegation zone.
Although it’s unlikely they’ll get dragged into a scrap at the bottom, a defeat against Stoke City, who are currently 22nd in the table, would perhaps generate panic at the Riverside.
The most likely outcome of their season, however, is a mid-table finish and while that isn’t exciting for anyone associated with the club, it means they can plan their transfers ahead of their divisional rivals.
And it appears that Boro have got the rolling on that front as they are eyeing a move for Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway.
Middlesborough want Plymouth Argyle’s Brendan Galloway
A product of Everton’s youth academy and a former England under-21 international, Galloway showed promise in the early stages of his career, although injuries soon dented his chances of playing Premier League football.
Once labelled as a “class act” by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, Galloway failed to deliver on the hype that his formative years promised and after leaving Everton, he endured less than impressive spells at Sunderland and Luton Town before finding a home at Plymouth.
Now, at the age of 26, he has established himself as a solid Championship defender and has played a crucial role in the Pilgrim’s fight to stay in the second tier.
Despite making 20 appearances this term, Plymouth are yet to reward him with a new contract, which expires in the summer, and that has put some of their rivals on red alert.
That is according to the Sun, who claim that Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers have all ‘held talks’ with the defender over a possible move.
Galloway would be a bargain for Middlesbrough on a free transfer
With his contract coming to an end, Boro could snap Galloway up on a free transfer and while there is strong competition to land his signature, he would be a solid signing.
As highlighted by FBref, the versatile defender – who can also play as a left-back – has impressed across several defensive metrics.
He ranks in the top 18% against his positional peers in the Championship for tackles, top 14% for interceptions and top 8% for clearances.
Galloway is an accomplished player at this level and does have the ability to play out from the back too, ranking in the top 13% for passes into the penalty area.
Of course, the only downside to signing him is the fact that he’s made 154 matches due to injury across his career, although those problems looked to have subsided this term and he’s enjoying his football.
On a free transfer, capturing Galloway would be a shrewd and low-risk move that Carrick should try to complete.