Middlesbrough are set to miss out on one of their summer targets to a Championship rival.
Boro have been linked with plenty of names over the last week or so ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window shutting at 11pm.
Middlesbrough are confident about signing George Edmundson from Ipswich Town to ease some of the burden on Matt Clarke, who remains the club’s only fit senior centre-back right now.
Outside of bringing in another defender, though, it appears Michael Carrick remains keen to strengthen his attack.
Sky Sports reported on Friday afternoon that Middlesbrough want to sign Ben Doak on loan, with the player and Liverpool deciding between Hull City and Boro for the winger’s next destination.
Elsewhere, with Josh Coburn having joined Millwall on loan, a new striker was thought to be of interest to the Teessiders.
- READ MORE: Luke Ayling has already told Middlesbrough why they must beat Derby County to ‘big player’ today
Tom Cannon set to sign for Stoke City
Middlesbrough were eyeing a late move for Tom Cannon of Leicester City ahead of tonight’s deadline but they now look set to miss out on the striker.
The North East outfit were, along with Sunderland and Hull City, thought to have made permanent offers to the Foxes for Cannon.
However, John Percy of the Telegraph has now reported on X/Twitter that the Leicester man is undergoing a medical at Stoke.
He wrote: “Tom Cannon heading for medical at Stoke ahead of loan move for the season. Big coup for Stoke against some significant competition (at least half the Champ)”
Will Middlesbrough regret not signing Tom Cannon
Middlesbrough’s centre-forward department has caused much debate this season.
Emmanuel Latte Lath was always going to remain the first-choice number nine after his prolific 2023/24.
But the arrival of Tommy Conway then saw Coburn fall down the pecking order. The 21-year-old has now left for Millwall, leaving Carrick with just two striker options.
However, Delano Burgzorg can play as a centre-forward, doing so for Huddersfield Town in the previous campaign.
Academy star Sonny Finch is also an option if all three of the above stars pick up injuries. So, while Stoke being strengthened is not great news, Boro probably shouldn’t be too concerned about not signing Cannon.