The Teessiders are yet to make their first senior signing of the summer after appointing Rob Ed
The Middlesbrough squad which flew out for a week-long training camp in Portugal on Sunday had a familiar look about it. In fact, the only new faces were Rob Edwards and his coaching staff, with no summer signings to bolster the ranks.
The Teessiders’ search for a new head coach has meant transfers have been on the backburner somewhat, although Kieran Scott and Boro’s recruitment team have been hard at work behind the scenes identifying potential targets.
There has been one signifcant exit, of course, with striker Josh Coburn leaving on a permament deal to Millwall after impressing on loan at the New Den last season. The £5m+ Boro received for the 22-year-old is expected to be reinvested this summer.
Coburn followed Anfernee Dijksteel through the Riverside exit door, with the defender leaving the club at the end of his contract last month. However, talks are continuing with Jonny Howson over a new deal.
As far as incoming deals are concerned, Boro have confirmed two signings for the Under-21 squad, with 19-year-old defender Archie Bapiste arriving from Tottenham, and 20-year-old goalkeeper Owen Foster signing a one-year deal after impressing on a trial period.
Four loanees left in the summer, leaving a sizeable gap in the Boro squad, with Ben Doak returning to Liverpool, along with Samuel Iling-Junior (Aston Villa), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla) and Ryan Giles (Hull City).
However, three players came back to the fold after loan spells, with Micah Hamilton, Sammy Silvera and Alex Gilbert looking to impress Edwards in pre-season. It’s a chance the new head coach will given them, as he insists every player will get an opportunity before any decisions are made.
“You’ve always got an idea of where you might want to go, but it’s always an opportunity for every member of the squad,” Edwards said. “Coming into a new team, with new people coming in, there’s always opportunity there for all the players.
“I think what we’ve got to remember as well, though, is that there’s going to be players with their own minds made up about where they see themselves and what they want to do as well.
“We’ll have to see on one or two. But we’ve got a good idea on where we want to take things and shape it, along with Kieran and everyone who’s involved with that team. We’re pretty aligned with how we see it.”
Middlesbrough ins and outs so far:
Ins: Archie Bapiste (Tottenham), Owen Foster (Hull City)
Returning from loans: Micah Hamilton, Sammy Silvera, Alex Gilbert.
Out: Josh Coburn (Millwall, £5.5m), Anfernee Dijksteel (contract expired).
Released: Terrell Agyemang, George Gitau, Jack Hannah, Afonso Lindo, Dan Nkrumah, Nathan Simpson, Alfie Myers-Smith, Jack Stott, Cain Sykes, Pharrell Willis, Addis Dore, Felix Elliott, Noah Muwana, Fin O’Gorman, Ethan Scott and Judah Tawiah.
Loans ended: Ben Doak (Liverpool), Samuel Iling-Junior (Aston Villa), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla), Ryan Giles (Hull City).
