Middlesbrough must launch Burnley move if Finn Azaz leaves for Southampton | OneFootball

Middlesbrough should make a move to sign Burnley midfielder Aaron Ramsey if Finn Azaz departs for Southampton this summer.

Middlesbrough have undergone a bit of a transformation over the summer transfer window, and it looks as though business could remain busy before the end of the market as Southampton line up a move for key attacking midfielder Finn Azaz.

Middlesbrough have narrowly missed out on the top six and the play-off places in each of the last two seasons, and that has prompted the Smoggies to make the change of swapping out Michael Carrick for former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards.

A 4-0 hammering at home to League One side Doncaster Rovers in the first round of the EFL Cup may generally be cause for concern for 'Boro, but it could be an anomaly that has been sandwiched between some excellent results in the league.

They began with a slender 1-0 defeat of Swansea City at the Riverside on the opening day of the campaign, before heading down to the capital city to dispatch of a strong Millwall side by three goals to nil at The Den.

Middlesbrough supporters would, though, have their mood dampened by the possible sale of Azaz, who is the subject of interest from Southampton, but an ideal replacement appears ready and waiting to be brought in in former loanee Aaron Ramsey.

Middlesbrough should look to bring in Aaron Ramsey

With Southampton said to be potentially losing Tyler Dibling, with both Everton and Crystal Palace interested in the England U21 international, as well as the latter wanting to sign Mateus Fernandes; it is set to be a busy end to the window at St. Mary's.

Will Still and Saints have reportedly identified Republic of Ireland international Finn Azaz as an ideal signing this summer, amid reports of interest in Coventry City's Jack Rudoni and West Bromwich Albion winger, Tom Fellows.

The former Plymouth Argyle man has enjoyed an extremely impressive stint at 'Boro thus far, having moved to Teesside from Devon in the January transfer window of 2024 for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5 million.

The 24-year-old was outstanding for Middlesbrough last season, with 12 goals and 11 assists for a ‘Boro side that finished outside of the top six. Only Joel Piroe and Josh Brownhill enjoyed more direct goal involvements than Azaz.

He will therefore be a hard man to replace if Saints do eventually get their man, and there are suggestions that Azaz wants the move, but Aaron Ramsey is someone who could slot easily into the side.

Aaron Ramsey suits the Rob Edwards style

In the second-half of the 2022/23 campaign, Middlesbrough went on a rampage under Carrick and did eventually get themselves into the play-offs, where they subsequently lost to Coventry City.

A large part of Middlesbrough’s success was their extremely impressive attack that boasted both Chuba Akpom and Cameron Archer, but arguably Ramsey had the biggest impact at the club.

The 22-year-old, on loan from Aston Villa, made 11 appearances for ‘Boro and scored five goals with one assist, sparking and creating attacks with his excellent balance and technique, and primarily his ability to drive forward with the ball.

An attacking midfielder with the ability to go left and right, having played on both wings for ‘Boro in that season, Ramsey would be ideally suited to Rob Edwards’ shape and style of football.

The 3-4-2-1 with two creative players in behind the striker would allow Ramsey to have the pressure off a touch, giving him the freedom in behind in his ideal position.

Stylistically, Ramsey is of the profile where he appears purpose built for a Rob Edwards system, and he would and could be the ideal replacement for the club, should they indeed sanction the sale of Azaz.

An unused substitute in Burnley's opening day 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Ramsey will expect more game time soon to get his career back on track and firing, and returning to where it ignited would work well for the player, as well as for 'Boro.