Middlesbrough have set their sights on Swindon Town defender Harrison Minturn this month, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Teesside club are looking to bolster their squad this month ahead of their play-off push, with Michael Carrick having to contend with a series of injuries. Yesterday’s shock 1-1 draw with basement side Rotherham United saw them slip to 11th, but they are just three points behind Coventry City in sixth.
Carrick has already brought in the experienced Luke Ayling on loan to add defensive cover this month, whilst also adding to his attacking options with the signing of Finn Azaz from Aston Villa. The 23-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Plymouth Argyle but was recalled by the Premier League club ahead of his permanent move to the Riverside.
More defensive recruits are needed though, with Boro having conceded 41 goals in 28 Championship games so far this season. The centre-back position is a particular issue and currently have Paddy McNair and Darragh Lenihan absent on a long-term basis, whilst the versatile Tommy Smith is also unavailable.
This has caused the manager to look to strengthen and it is claimed that Swindon Town youngster Harrison Minturn has appeared on the radar. The 20-year-old has started the Robins’ last 11 League Two outings after spending the opening three months of the campaign on the fringes of the squad.
Swindon are having a season to forget and currently sit 17th in the fourth tier. They parted company with manager Michael Flynn last week but were given a reprieve yesterday when their clash with Tranmere Rovers was postponed.
Despite the Wiltshire outfit’s lowly position, Minturn’s performances at the heart of the defence have caught the eye of Middlesbrough. Nixon claims that they are monitoring his situation and Swindon could look to cash in before the end of the month.
The youngster only penned a contract extension at the County Ground last October, a deal which is set to run until 2025. As such, Swindon will be hoping that they can generate some serious income with any potential sale.
Writer’s View
It’s been a difficult month for Swindon Town. Firstly, they had to contend with losing key duo Dan Kemp and Jake Young after they were recalled from their season-long loan deals from MK Dons and Bradford City respectively, then they found themselves on the hunt for a new manager.
The Robins will be reluctant to sell academy-product Harrison Minturn but know that they will be able to raise some funds from a player which ultimately cost them nothing. Middlesbrough will view the defender as one for the future, although he could offer cover to Michael Carrick’s depleted squad for the remainder of the season.
