We rounded up all the latest Middlesbrough transfer news.
It has been a tough few weeks for Middlesbrough in the Championship.
After a disappointing start to the season, Boro were closing in on the play-off places after a run of six consecutive victories in October and November, but their form has declined in recent weeks.
Boro ended a run of three straight defeats with a 2-1 win over Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, with goals from Sam Greenwood and Sammy Silvera either side of Jamal Lowe’s equaliser sealing all three points.
Michael Carrick’s men currently sit 13th in the table, six points from the play-off places, and they are back in action when they host fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
| Championship Table (As it stands December 18th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 9 | Watford | 22 | 8 | 31 |
| 10 | Norwich City | 22 | 0 | 31 |
| 11 | Blackburn Rovers | 22 | -4 | 31 |
| 12 | Cardiff City | 22 | 1 | 30 |
| 13 | Middlesbrough | 22 | 0 | 30 |
| 14 | Bristol City | 22 | -1 | 29 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 22 | 3 | 27 |
| 16 | Plymouth Argyle | 22 | -1 | 26 |
Carrick will undoubtedly be keen to strengthen his squad in January, and with just two weeks until the transfer window opens, we rounded up all the latest news from the Riverside Stadium.
Nottingham Forest defender eyed
According to The Sun, Boro are set to make a move for Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall in January.
Worrall is Forest’s captain, and he only signed a new contract at the City Ground in September, but he was recently banished from first team training along with team-mate Scott McKenna.
The decision is not said to be related to any behavioural issues, but the duo have been told to train on different pitches and arrive at a different time from their team-mates.
Boro are keen to sign Worrall on loan in January, with a view to a potential permanent deal if they achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Worrall starred as Forest won promotion to the top flight in 2022, and he played a key role as Steve Cooper’s side secured survival last season.
With Darragh Lenihan out for the season and Paddy McNair also currently sidelined, bringing in a new centre-back is likely to be a priority for Carrick in January.
Boro join race for Liverpool player
TEAMtalk claim that Middlesbrough are interested in signing Liverpool defender Conor Bradley on loan in January, but they face competition from Leeds United, West Brom and Burnley.
Bradley spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in 53 appearances to help the Trotters reach the League One play-offs.
The 20-year-old missed the start of this season with a back injury, but after returning to fitness, he has been included in the Reds’ last three matchday squads in the Premier League, while he has featured against LASK and Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League.
After Tommy Smith was ruled out for the season, Rav van den Berg initially filled in at right-back, but the Dutchman was moved to his natural position of centre-back following Lenihan and McNair’s injuries.
Anfernee Dijksteel has played at right-back in recent weeks, but he has put in a number of unconvincing performances, and he was sent off against Leeds earlier this month, so it is an area Carrick could look to bolster.
Summer signing linked with exit
Boro only completed the signing of defender Alex Bangura from Cambuur this summer, but he is already attracting interest from elsewhere.
According to Italian outlet Calcio Frosinone, Serie A side Frosinone are keen on Bangura.
The Sierra Leone international has scored one goal and provided one assist in 10 appearances for Boro this season, but many of his minutes have come from the bench, with Lukas Engel establishing himself as Carrick’s first choice left back.
Bangura started ahead of Engel in the win at Swansea on Saturday, and it seems unlikely Boro will sanction his departure, but their resolve could be tested next month.
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