Two Transfers That Middlesbrough Can Complete In January
The first half of the season under Garry Monk cannot ultimately be described as a success for Middlesbrough, to be honest, with the club placed 9th in the table with 29 points from 20 games.
Boro are 6 points off a promotion place and are fully 18 points off table-toppers Wolves. So something needs to be done. A play-off place though is well within their grasp if a few tweaks are made and so movement in January is expected.
Here we look at two potential transfers the Teesside club could complete in order to balance things out a bit better and justify their position as summer favourites to be promoted straight back to the top division in England:
Bobby Reid (from Bristol City)
Having now established his place in what is a very good, attack-minded Bristol City side, Reid is proving to be invaluable to them but that does not stop the rumours that Boro are interested in attempting to sign him in January.
Playing in an attacking midfield position, Reid has slammed in 10 goals and an assist in 20 Championship matches this season, being involved in a goal once in every 160 minutes and putting in some sterling all-round displays.
He is being eyed by one or two Premier League clubs as well so his talent appears to be very real, and very potentially beneficial to Boro’s cause. Watch out for a bid for the Bristol-born player early in the window.
Ben Gibson (to any Premier League side)
Gibson was the target of a few top league sides in the summer, with the most serious interest being shown by West Bromwich Albion. A deal may have stalled due to their failure to collect the big bucks they wanted for Jonny Evans.
A deal may be revisited and it would be wise for Middlesbrough not to stand in Gibson’s way. Even if they can improve post-Christmas, there are no guarantees of a playoff spot, let alone promotion and so they will simply be holding their best player back.
Gibson has ambitions to play for England and so he needs to be in the Premier League. Also, as Boro’s most saleable asset right now, he is capable of bringing big money into the club by virtue of his sale, which may mean another slight remodelling of the squad in order to gain promotion back to the big time.