A deal for Middlesbrough’s first summer transfer window sale of 2024 is almost finalised.
This summer, Middlesbrough has already lost two of its senior players to free agency: Paddy McNair and Liam Roberts.
However, Michael Carrick may still make further departures from the Riverside this summer as he shuffles his team in preparation for a potential 2024–2025 promotion run. The Championship team has put right-back Anfernee Dijksteel up for sale.
Other reports from Kieran Scott, Middlesbrough’s Sporting Director, state that Premier League teams are showing interest in Hayden Hackney.
Boro’s goalkeeping situation is still under scrutiny despite the return of Zach Hemming and Sol Brynn from loan stints last month, who will now compete for regular football with Seny Dieng and Tom Glover.
It now looks like another veteran Middlesbrough player may be leaving the team this summer.
It was reported earlier this week that Dan Barlaser’s Turkish team Trabzonspor had approached the player directly and made an offer to sign with Middlesbrough.
A recent update on the situation indicates that Barlaser’s departure is quite probable, which comes as a bit of a surprise.
Journalist Hasan Tuncel said on the Turkish publication 61saat’s YouTube channel that there isn’t much of a difference between the amount Trabzonspor offered and the amount Boro is willing to accept for the midfield player.
According to people close to the 27-year-old, Tuncel noted, there is no obstacle that can’t be overcome in order to complete a move.
“There’s not much of a difference between the number Trabzonspor provided for Dan Barlaser and the number Middlesbrough requested,” he stated.
“Trabzonspor is pushing other local names for that region, but there is no problem that cannot be solved,” claimed sources close to the player that I spoke with.
To some Boro supporters’ surprise, Middlesbrough appears eager to sell Barlaser.
The Teessiders have targeted strengthening their midfield this summer, and Aidan Morris is anticipated to join the team the following week. However, despite Morris’ signing, the North East team lacks depth in that department.
36-year-old Jonny Howson remains a regular starter for the club – something that, realistically, cannot continue for much longer.
Hayden Hackney has also been the subject of Premier League interest over the last few months and his sale would seriously hamper Boro’s promotion chances.
In turn, it may seem like a strange decision to allow Barlaser to leave, especially after he was dubbed ‘fantastic’ by Carrick earlier this year, as per Teesside Live.
But with academy starlet Law McCabe breaking into the first-team last season, Carrick may be looking to cash in on Barlaser to raise transfer funds while, at the same time, providing an avenue for McCabe to garner more senior experience.
