Middlesbrough already have plans in place for the summer transfer window

Middlesbrough will be looking to strengthen their squad with five key priorities identified for this summer, and plans already in place for the upcoming transfer window.

While reviews are currently taking place to assess the season just gone and where Boro fell short in their quest for the play-offs, plans have already been made for the summer transfer window. In a decent position after recent big-money sales, Boro are understood to have identified five key areas they want to strengthen as a priority in the upcoming transfer window. Main targets for all the roles are locked in also.

The five roles Boro will be prioritising this summer are: right-back, centre-back, centre midfield, wide forward and striker. That is by no means an exclusive list of summer business, with Boro, as ever, willing to be flexible, and also ready to react to whatever possible scenarios are thrown at them over the course of the window.

But as a matter of identifying the five key areas that were in need of strengthening, they are the ones that Boro officials have placed top of the priority list. It’s no secret they would have loved to have kept loan keeper Mark Travers too, but the current feeling is that both Bournemouth’s valuation and his Premier League wage will make that too big an outlay on just one position that isn’t a priority as Sol Brynn returns to fitness.

At right-back, Anfernee Dijksteel is expected to leave this summer as his contract reaches its end point at the end of June. Luke Ayling is contracted for another year, but Boro are seeking a new first-choice option.

At centre-back, they let Matt Clarke go without a replacement in January. It was a decision that ultimately backfired when they suffered injury troubles. Darragh Lenihan should return this summer but it’s unknown at what level after 18 months out, while Rav van den Berg’s future is uncertain. They struggled throughout the season with defensive frailties they feel need addressing.

Midfield is another area Boro are keen to strengthen having tried to do so in January. There’s still a decision to be made on Jonny Howson, while they are braced for bids for star asset Hayden Hackney. There’s no indication yet as to whether he will give Boro at least one more year or not. Dan Barlaser has only one year remaining on his deal and will likely be allowed to move on if the right offer is received.

Glen Kamara was the player they targeted in January in an attempt to offer their spine more steel. It wouldn’t be a surprise if a player of similar profile was targeted this summer, while Law McCabe waits in the wings desperate for a chance to step up as a first-team regular.

Meanwhile, A new wide forward is being sought after the loan deals of Ben Doak and Samuel Iling-Junior ended. It’s still hoped Morgan Whittaker will come good on Teesside after an underwhelming start, but there’s an appreciation that a solid alternative is required. Boro’s attack looked particularly lacking in pace after Doak’s injury.

Finally, after selling Emmanuel Latte Lath in January and not finding an adequate replacement as Kelechi Iheanacho struggled, Boro will be in the market for a new striker to challenge Tommy Conway as well. Josh Coburn will return from his loan spell at Millwall and it remains to be seen at this stage what the future holds for him. But Boro have still added a new striker to their priority wishlist.

Just like last summer, the club head into the summer window well prepared and hoping that will pay off for getting their top targets secured. As ever, players leaving, players getting injured in pre-season, players elsewhere unexpectedly becoming available, and also changes in opinion based on what individuals show over the summer friendlies, could always change plans. But, as things stand, they’re the five key areas Boro wish the strengthen this summer.

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