Football League World
·13 July 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball League World
·13 July 2024
A number of players are expected to leave Middlesbrough this summer.
Middlesbrough are hoping their largely good work in the transfer market during Michael Carrick's tenure so far, will set the club up for an exciting 2024/25 season.
Boro have already made a handful of signings so far this summer, with Luke Ayling, Delano Burgzorg, Aidan Morris and most recently, Swindon Town youngster Harley Hunt.
But with incomings, there has to be outgoings too, as the Teessiders look to ensure they are complying with football's financial rules.
Therefore, a number of players are likely to leave the Riverside Stadium this summer, but who might they be? Football League World take a look.
Things have just not gone to plan for Middlesbrough striker Matthew Hoppe, as he arrived back in 2022 under the expectation that he would develop into an important member of Boro's first team squad.
Since then, the former American international has only made six total appearances for the club, registering zero goals and zero assists.
Back-to-back fairly uninspiring loans with Hibernian and then San Jose Earthquakes have come and gone, and now The Northern Echo have revealed that Hoppe is expected to be sold this summer, with a move to the MLS the most likely outcome once their secondary transfer window opens later this month.
Another player who has reportedly been told that he will be sold this summer, Anfernee Dijksteel has just 12 months remaining on his Boro contract, and the club appear ready to cash in.
The Suriname international has been a good servant to Middlesbrough when called upon, especially in the early stages of his time on Teesside, in which he was a regular fixture in the starting lineup under both Neil Warnock and Chris Wilder.
Now though, the 27-year-old has been pushed down the pecking order at right-back, as Ayling's signature and Tommy Smith's long-awaited return from injury has knocked the former Charlton man down to third-choice.
Patience was a virtue for Alex Gilbert last season, as the 22-year-old had to wait until the penultimate Championship fixture to make his full Middlesbrough league debut.
It was worth the wait, however, as the Irish youth international scored and registered an assist in that match, which earned him a starting role in Boro's final game of the season too.
Gilbert made 12 Championship appearances under Carrick in 2023/24, - 226 minutes - in which he scored once and contributed three assists, in what was a clear display of the talent he possesses.
But with the return of Riley McGree and Marcus Forss from injury, as well as the addition of Burgzorg and the already established starter Finn Azaz, the former Brentford man's opportunities appear likely to be limited again next season.
Therefore, the club would be wise to seek a loan move for the talented young attacker, with the vision of him returning to the club ready to really stake his claim for a starting role in 2025 and beyond.
A name that has been familiar to Boro fans with a keen eye on the club's academy production line, Sol Brynn has been impressing away from the club for multiple seasons now.
Successful loan spells with Swindon Town and most recently Leyton Orient, have seen the local lad establish himself as the number one goalkeeper at both of those clubs.
Having proven he can do it at League Two and League One level, Brynn will no doubt believe that he is ready to test himself in the Championship, but that may be tough to achieve with Middlesbrough whilst Seny Dieng is at the club.
Fellow promising young shot-stopper Zach Hemming has also returned to Boro having played a huge part in St. Mirren's fifth place finish and European football qualification in the Scottish Premiership last season, and will also want to push for playing time at the Riverside this summer.
Therefore, the 23-year-old may feel like he's waited long enough for his opportunity to represent his hometown club, and could seek a permanent exit this summer.
Former Rotherham United midfielder Dan Barlaser played an important role for Middlesbrough last season, stepping into the starting lineup in the place of the injured Hayden Hackney for large parts of the season.
Indeed, the 27-year-old made 41 total appearances in a Boro shirt in the 2023/24 campaign, but his performances may not have been quite at the level Carrick desired in order to retain his place in the team for the new season.
That's because with Boro's new US international central midfielder Morris through the door, and highly-rated teenager Law McCabe penning a long-term contract extension after breaking into the first team picture last season, Barlaser's route to regular football appears highly congested.
Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor have been linked with a move for the midfielder, amid him potentially being made surplus to requirements by the Teessiders, and it appears likely that Boro would entertain offers for him this summer.