Middlesbrough and Burnley have both shown interest in Bristol City striker Tommy Conway this summer.
Middlesbrough are looking to add a fourth first-team addition to their ranks during the remainder of the transfer window.
Boro kicked off their 2024 summer business in hectic fashion, bringing in Luke Ayling, Delano Burgzorg, and Aidan Morris all before pre-season began.
Michael Carrick and co. have since slowed down on the recruitment front but are now aiming to bring a new player to the Riverside Stadium this summer.
A new striker remains a priority for Middlesbrough and Bristol City forward Tommy Conway could be the man to fill the role.
Boro were first linked with the 21-year-old on Monday, July 29th. Details of Middlesbrough’s bid for Conway then emerged on Tuesday.
The Teessiders are thought to have offered a total of £5m for the Scotsman, but a large portion of that sum was clause-dependent.
Tommy Conway told to join Middlesbrough over Burnley
Middlesbrough looked set to have a clear run at Conway, who turned down a new contract this summer and has been training with the Robins’ U21s since.
However, it was then reported earlier this week that Burnley are interested in signing Conway as well.
While Boro were offering a straight cash deal, the Clarets were in talks with City over a potential swap deal for the player, which could involve Scott Twine and Luke McNally.
Now, Northern Echo journalist Dominic Shaw, speaking on the You Are My Boro podcast, has explained why Conway should pick Middlesbrough over Burnley this summer.
He said: “Burnley aren’t short of centre-forwards, that Burnley attack is stacked. So if you are Conway and you’re looking at where are you likely to play more football, and I think not only that but where is there a clear pathway?
“That’s nothing against Burnley, absolutely not, but I’m just looking purely at Boro.
“How many examples and how many times have we talked in the last few months about players who have come to Boro or come through the ranks at Boro and progressed so rapidly?
“Morgan Rogers is the obvious example but then there’s Rav van den Berg, Hayden Hackney, and there are others aren’t there.
“This is a big move that he has to get right. I would think Boro would back themselves in being able to sell a move to the Riverside.”
Will Tommy Conway start for Middlesbrough
Shaw is right that Burnley have a lot of attacking options and Conway may struggle for regular minutes.
However, while Middlesbrough are not quite as stacked in that department, the striker could face a similar issue at the Riverside.
Carrick sets his Boro team up in a 4-2-3-1, which means only one centre-forward will start each game.
Emmanuel Latte Lath ended 2023/24 in prolific goalscoring form – 11 in his last 12 – and will be the club’s main number nine in the new season.
Middlesbrough also have Josh Coburn as a capable backup option and as he is 21, he will need regular football to continue his development.
But even if Coburn is sent out on loan for 2024/25, Conway would probably still not start ahead of Latte Lath.
In turn, if Conway is looking to be a regular starter – like he was at Bristol City – Boro may not be the best move for him this summer.