Vultures are circling over Boro's Portugal camp...
The latest Middlesbrough FC News brought to you by Bonkers For Boro
In a week where Rob Edwards has been putting his Middlesbrough players through their paces in Portugal, fans have been more preoccupied with what Kieran Scott has been doing.
More specifically, it’s what hasn’t been happening that has left some fans feeling a little bit anxious.
Barring a few Women’s team signings and one or two under-21 arrivals, the entrance to Boro’s Rockliffe Park has been remarkably quiet.
To be fair to Scott and his recruitment team, work is clearly going on behind the scenes.
Unfortunately one player who won’t be coming back to Middlesbrough is Mark Travers - here I explain WHY.
Three Middlesbrough targets were confirmed this week - a right-back, an attacking midfielder and a winger - but so far, no deal is thought to be anywhere near imminent.
Who are those players, I hear you ask? I introduce you to all three in this week’s transfer roundup video.
Hackney and Van den Berg’s inevitable exits
If the lack of new signings is a concern, the fact that the vultures are circling around two of Middlesbrough’s star men is even more concern.
Hayden Hackney is a target for *sharp inhale* Everton, Brentford, Fulham, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Porto, Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen, among others.
With more than eight top flight teams jostling to sign him - some of which will offer European football next term - it feels like Boro’s focus is clear.
Scott’s job: Start a bidding war and get as much money as possible.
Perhaps it makes sense why Middlesbrough are yet to sign a single player when you think that Scott must spend his life on the phone fending off calls about Hackney.
That’s before you factor in the interest in Rav van den Berg - a player who is a target for Brentford, Crystal Palace and other overseas clubs.
The Dutch defender fluttered his eyelashes as potential admirers earlier this summer and given the chance to challenge himself at a higher level, it feels like he’ll have no hesitation in doing what he needs to to force a move.
It remains to be seen what Boro’s next move will be regarding Van den Berg, but Middlesbrough’s recruitment team have to get it right.
So what will next week bring? Boro’s players will be back in at a sweltering Rockliffe Park and preparing for their first official friendly under Rob Edward - an away trip to face Mansfield on Saturday, July 19 (2pm).
Will there be any new signings on show at Field Mill? God knows, but perhaps seeing our lack of promotion-winning quality in the flesh will be enough to shock our recruitment drive into life with less than a month until the new season gets underway.
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Phil Spencer, Bonkers For Boro