Neto Borges could be just what Middlesbrough need to improve this season.
Middlesbrough are set to confirm their seventh signing of the 2024 summer transfer window soon.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Middlesbrough wanted to sign Neto Borges from Clermont Foot 63.
Now, as per Sky Sports, the 27-year-old left-back has completed a medical after Boro agreed a £1.3m deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.
Borges joins Luke Ayling, Aidan Morris, Delano Burgzorg, Harley Hunt, Micah Hamilton and Tommy Conway as the seventh permanent arrival at the Riverside Stadium.
The South American’s impending arrival will also bring an end to Boro’s long search for a new left-back.
Boro wanted to sign a new left-sided defender after Alex Bangura suffered another long-term injury in pre-season and have finally found their man.
Middlesbrough are desperate for Neto Borges arrival
Middlesbrough have been searching for a top-quality left-back since the 2022/23 season.
Ryan Giles was the perfect fit for Michael Carrick, providing a serious attacking threat down the left flank in a campaign that saw him notch 11 assists in 45 matches.
However, after Giles returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers following his loan spell, Boro have never really been able to replace him.
The aforementioned Bangura has not had a chance to settle in England following his persistent injury issues.
As for Lukas Engel, he has been the club’s primary left-back for much of the last year but, as was evident when Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Portsmouth, he is simply not what Carrick wants in a full-back.
What Neto Borges will bring to Middlesbrough
As well as being pretty poor defensively, Engel does not possess anywhere close to the attacking threat of Giles.
However, some statistics concerning Borges suggest he will be the perfect player for Middlesbrough and fans should be excited by his arrival.
As per Opta, only four defenders have won more duels than Borges (341) in Ligue 1 since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Furthermore, in that same period, the full-back ranks sixth for chances created (53), sixth for interceptions (98) and seventh for passes played into the box (195).
Some excellent stats made even more impressive by the fact Borges spent 2023/24 plying his trade for a side who were relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the campaign.