Middlesbrough have been linked with a deadline day swoop for Oxford United attacker Tyler Goodrham.
Middlesbrough look like they could throw some money at late signings before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline, after seeing Morgan Rogers complete a reported £16million move to Aston Villa.
And one name linked with a move to Riverside, to potentially replace Rogers as well, is Oxford United youngster Goodrham.
The 20-year-old has scored six and assisted three more in 27 League One outings this season, with recent reports linking Middlesbrough and a clutch of other Championship clubs.
But Boro are not pursuing a deal for the Republic of Ireland U21s star.
Middlesbrough want a striker, not Tyler Goodrham
The Northern Echo has revealed via their live Middlesbrough transfer blog that Goodrham is not a target for Michael Carrick‘s side today, and that the Boro boss would instead prefer to sign a new striker.
Boro have failed to replace the void left by Chuba Akpom last summer, with all of Sam Greenwood, Isaiah Jones, Josh Coburn, and Emmanuel Latte Lath tied on five goals in the Championship right now.
Although Middlesbrough have scored 42 goals in their opening 28 Championship games this season, Carrick is desperately lacking an out and out goal-scorer in his quest for a top six finish, so a striker needs to be the priority.
Although Goodrham might be a good, long-term successor for Rogers, Carrick still has other names like Jones and Marcus Forss to deploy on the flanks, so the club might be able to cope without replacing Rogers until the summer.
Coping without a natural goal scorer though would be much more difficult.
Middlesbrough are back in action against neighbours Sunderland this weekend; a win against the Black Cats would bring Boro level on points with their north-east neighbours who currently sit in 7th.