Middlesbrough had a very productive 2024 summer transfer window under Michael Carrick.
After finishing four points outside the playoffs in 2023/24, it was imperative Middlesbrough improved their first-team squad in the most recent transfer window.
And while there will always be some debate amongst fans, it is probably fair to say that the 2024 summer window was one of Boro’s best for quite some time.
The Teessiders kicked things off by re-signing Luke Ayling on a free transfer before Delano Burgzorg and Aidan Morris arrived at the Riverside Stadium.
After a brief break on the arrivals front, Middlesbrough signed Micah Hamilton from Manchester City and Tommy Conway from Bristol City.
Neto Borges also joined the club from Ligue 2, bringing some much-needed completion at left-back.
This left the North East outfit going into Deadline Day with only a centre-back signing needed.
George Edmundson arrived at Middlesbrough from Ipswich Town to solve this issue, while Ben Doak was an unexpected addition from Liverpool.
Middlesbrough fans will love what Steve Gibson did during transfer window
It is not just incomings that have helped Boro so far this summer, however.
Another key thing the club did very well in the transfer window was keeping hold of all their top players.
Ipswich Town wanted to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath but saw a £20m+ bid rejected on August 30th, as per Teesside Live.
Now, Michael Carrick has heaped praise on Steve Gibson for his willingness to turn that type of money down.
He said: “It’s something I certainly don’t and won’t take for granted. For an owner and a chairman to make that decision, it’s not an easy one. Say what you want, and of course, we all want to have success – Steve more than anyone given the amount he’s put in.
“But it’s too easy to say ‘just knock it [the bid] back’ and move on. When you’re running the football club and putting into it what he has, that’s a lot of money to be knocking back. That he has, shows what Steve thinks and the ambition he has.
“To back and support me, along with Kieran [Scott] and Neil [Bausor], it says an awful lot. None of us can take that for granted because there aren’t a lot of owners around that would do that. Credit to him for that because obviously the buck for that type of thing ultimately stops with him.”
- READ MORE: Three quality free agents Steve Gibson must now sign for Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough fans should be grateful to Steve Gibson
Boro fans will love the fact Gibson turned down such a high bid to ensure Latte Lath remained at the club.
But Gibson’s loyalty and commitment to the club is not new and Middlesbrough fans should not take their chairman for granted.
There has been resentment toward Gibson from the fanbase over the years, especially during the Gordon Strachan area following their relegation in 2009.
But while the Teessiders have not always been the most successful club are struggling to get back into the Premier League, it is clear their own always has their best intentions in mind.
This is often not the case with other football club owners and Middlesbrough fans will do well to remember this next time they are not overly happy with Gibson.