Middlesbrough are entering the Rob Edwards era this season, with the latest potential recruit being crucial to his style of play.

Middlesbrough host Spanish outfit Deportivo this afternoon in their final pre-season friendly before the 2025/26 Championship campaign kicks off next weekend.

Middlesbrough appointed Rob Edwards in June to succeed Michael Carrick, and the Boro squad he inherited is finally being designed in his desired image.

The first summer signing of the Edwards era came when Middlesbrough signed Alfie Jones from Hull City, who Abdoulaye Kante followed shortly as his second purchase.

Now, Boro have targeted their next signing of the window, which could arguably be the most important.

Middlesbrough bid £2.25m for Columbus Crew left wing-back Max Arfsten

After the confirmed arrivals of Jones and Kante, Middlesbrough are still shopping for defensive recruits, namely at wing-back.

Given Edwards employs a back-three system with wing-backs on either sides of the central defence it was crucial for the new Boro boss to recruit new talent in these positions.

On the right side, Edwards has his man after Middlesbrough won the race for Callum Brittain from Blackburn Rovers at the expense of Derby County.

Matters at left wing-back now seem to be heading for a solution, as Boro have reportedly made a £2.25m bid for Columbus Crew wing-back Max Arfsten.

Give Me Sport reporter Ben Jacobs revealed on X: “Middlesbrough have made a $3m (£2.25m) offer to Columbus Crew for USMNT wingback Max Arfsten. Toulouse had a bid rejected earlier this summer.”

Give Me Sport’s report adds: “The wing-back became a regular for the Crew in 2023 and quickly elevated to one of the best in his position in MLS.

“In Wilfried Nancy’s attack-minded system, Arfsten is pushed high up the pitch and is an integral outlet in their free-flowing attack.”

24-year-old Arfsten has made 20 appearances for Columbus Crew this season, scoring four goals and registering three assists.

After a difficult summer quest to recruit a left-wing back, Edwards may finally have another piece to his Boro puzzle.

Max Arfsten would solve glaring Middlesbrough issue for Rob Edwards

Edwards’ style of play for Boro has been questioned given the discrepancy between his high-intense style with a back-three formation and predecessor Carrick’s possession-oriented back-four system.

With Brittain being the longstanding target at right wing-back for Boro, signings on the opposite flank have been harder to secure this summer.

Edwards’ former Luton Town star Alfie Doughty joined Millwall last week at the expense of Boro after it emerged Doughty was Edwards’ ‘dream signing’.

As well as Doughty, Boro missed out on Bali Mumba after he changed Plymouth Argyle shirt numbers, to all but end Boro and Blackburn’s interest in the full-back.

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