Middlesbrough are still looking to bring in three new players before the transfer window shuts this Friday, according to Teesside Live.
Last season’s play-off semi-finalists have endured a miserable start to the new Championship season and currently sit in the relegation zone having picked up just a solitary point thus far. Saturday’s 4-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion was their third in four fixtures this term and manager Michael Carrick knows that his team must start getting points on the board if they are to match last season’s promotion push.
Their next league fixture sees the Teesside club host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, and it is claimed that the club would like a trio of new arrivals before the end of the transfer window in order to hand Carrick the best opportunity of getting his campaign up and running.
Middlesbrough have had to contend with the loss of Chuba Akpom to Dutch giants Ajax and his 28 league goals from last season will be difficult to replace. Emmanuel Latte Lath has arrived from Serie A outfit Atalanta and scored his first goal for the club at the weekend, but it is claimed that another pair of attackers could still be on the cards.
A loan move for a striker is being assessed, whilst an attacking midfielder is also high on the agenda. The report states that Josh Coburn is on the verge of another season-long loan spell – this time to Plymouth Argyle – following his successful stint at League One outfit Bristol Rovers last season. However, that deal will only be sanctioned should a replacement be found.
Aside from the attacking positions, a centre midfielder is also a priority and reports emerged earlier today that they had been in contact with Nottingham Forest over a season-long loan for Lewis O’Brien. However, the 24-year-old is wanted by a host of Championship clubs, with Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Coventry City also vying for his signature.
It is believed that Forest are keen to offload the former Huddersfield Town man on a permanent basis, but so far only temporary offers have been received. He made 13 Premier League appearances for the East Midlands club last season, but is yet to feature so far this season after spending time out on loan with MLS club D.C. United.
Carrick has publicly stated that transfers are ‘not the be all or end all’, but it seems that the same view is not shared behind closed doors.
Writer’s View
Middlesbrough were many peoples outside bet for a top six finish after the fantastic job that Michael Carrick did in turning around their campaign last season. However, they have endured a nightmare start and some fresh blood is needed. Few would have predicted their early results and they now have a matter of days to shape their squad before the transfer window slams shut.
It’s still early days and there is no reason to panic – they remained in and around the relegation places until November last season – but they don’t want to be playing catch up again. This season’s Championship is arguably stronger than last year following the relegations of Leeds United, Southampton and Leicester City and three points on Saturday is a must.
