Middlesbrough spent well over the summer but their squad is still not as strong as it could be.
Michael Carrick was backed heavily by Steve Gibson during the 2024 summer transfer window.
As well as keeping hold of Emmanuel Latte Lath after interest from Ipswich Town, Boro spent a decent chunk of change on nine new players.
Ben Doak and George Edmundson arrived on loan on the final day of the window but the remainder of the Teessiders’ additions were permanent.
Tommy Conway joined Middlesbrough from Bristol City for £4.5m – the most expensive addition of the summer.
Conway’s arrival strengthened Boro’s centre-forward department, while the additions of Micah Hamilton, Delano Burgzorg and Doak improved their flanks.
Elsewhere, right-back, centre-back and left-back have all been strengthened to a sufficient standard in the last couple of months.
Middlesbrough must rival Vancouver Whitecaps for Stuart Armstrong
However, while Aidan Morris has been brought in over the summer, Middlesbrough’s midfield could still do with more quality depth.
Jonny Howson is now 36 and is already out of action with a hamstring injury picked up against Leeds United.
Morris and Hayden Hackney dominated the midfield battle as Middlesbrough beat Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday.
But outside of that duo, the Teessiders lack a lot of quality depth in the centre of the pitch.
As a result, Carrick should now look to the free agent market to sign former Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong.
The ex-Premier League midfielder is currently wanted by Vancouver Whitecaps, according to the Scottish Sun, but Boro should beat them to his signature.
Stuart Armstrong will bring goals to Middlesbrough midfield
While Hackney and Morris have both played well so far in 2024/25, they do lack goals.
The latter saw a deflected effort go in off a defender as an own goal against Cardiff, but neither player has posed too much of a goal threat this season.
However, Armstrong – who Brendan Rodgers previously called quality, as per the Daily Mail – would add some firepower in the centre of the pitch.
The 32-year-old found the net a very respectable six times for Southampton in the Championship last season.
In comparison, Hackney scored once in 2023/24, Howson netted two and Dan Barlaser did not get a goal.
Middlesbrough have struggled somewhat to get the ball in the back of the net so far in 2024/25 but the arrival of Armstrong would bring another dimension to their attacking threat.