Middlesbrough FC may have ideal Finn Azaz replacement lined up with 20-goal star | OneFootball

Boro are reportedly among a host of clubs showing interest in the international attacking midfielder.

Middlesbrough's summer transfer business looks set to ramp up in the coming weeks, with some key additions and departures seemingly on the cards.

It's a new era on Teesside, and Rob Edwards is the man tasked with leading Boro back to a state of genuine Premier League promotion contention next season.

As is the case with the arrival of any new manager, the 42-year-old former Luton Town boss will be looking to stamp his authority on the playing squad over the coming weeks, and that could well involve a number of players walking through both the entrance and exit doors of Rockliffe Park.

Middlesbrough could be waving goodbye to Finn Azaz this summer

One such player who could be heading for the latter of those two doors is Finn Azaz.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been a revelation since arriving on Teesside in January 2024, costing Middlesbrough just £2.5m from Aston Villa.

After what felt like a slow start to his Middlesbrough career in the second half of the 23/24 season - despite still registering four goals and five assists in 20 Championship appearances - Azaz firmly cemented himself as one of the Championship's best attacking midfielders in 24/25.

12 goals and 11 assists in 45 second tier outings last term saw him produce one of the most impressive individual campaigns by a Middlesbrough player in recent times, and saw him rank in the top 100 percentile of Championship attacking midfielders for chances created (88) and shots (123)- per FotMob.

As a result, it comes as little surprise to many Boro fans to see him being linked with a big-money move to the Premier League this summer.

Bournemouth and Leeds United have reportedly joined Crystal Palace in the hunt for his signature, with Middlesbrough said to value him at around £20m.

“I’m playing at a high level now. The Championship is a really competitive league and it’s a really good league. I think it’s ranked sixth or seventh in Europe. I’ve got a contract with Boro of course, my focus is on pre-season at the moment," Azaz said on being linked with a move to the top flight.

“I’m really happy at my club. I’ve had a great year. I’ve got a lot of respect for everyone at the club and it’s been amazing for me the last 18 months here. I had a great season personally so obviously I want to keep developing and my ambition is to play at the highest level.

“Whether that be the Premier League or going abroad, I want to play at the highest level. I’m fully aware that there’s a lot of Premier League players in the Irish team and I’m looking at the World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup next summer."

Middlesbrough might just have found perfect Azaz replacement in Pavel Sulc

So, it goes without saying that losing Azaz this summer would be a huge blow for Middlesbrough, as replacing a player of his immense goal contributions and general attacking output would be incredibly tough to achieve.

However, they may just have identified someone that could do exactly that: Viktoria Plzen's Pavel Sulc.

A report from The Mirror on Monday revealed that Middlesbrough, along with Premier League side Bournemouth, have made enquiries over the possibility of signing the 24-year-old.

There are said to be others keeping tabs on the Czech international too, who is expected to leave Plzen this summer having entered the final year of his contract with the Czech giants.

Italian outfit Lazio, as well as interest from Germany, Turkey and other unnamed English clubs are all in the running too, in what looks to be a wide open race for his services.

Like Azaz, Sulc is a number 10 by trade, but possesses the skillset and versatility required to operate on the flanks too, and he's been a goal-contribution monster for Plzen over the last two seasons.

Having undoubtedly established himself as one of the best players in Czech football, and having made 14 caps for his national team, Sulc has registered 46 goals and 28 assists in 163 games for Plzen.

However, given the standard of clubs who have been credited with an interest in him, Middlesbrough appear to have their work cut out for them in order to win his signature this summer.

But, what Boro would surely be able to offer that top flight clubs may not is the allure of a regular place in the starting XI, and should the Teessiders get it right next term, he could well become a Premier League player at the Riverside Stadium.

So, whilst it's certainly not a foregone conclusion that Azaz will depart in the coming weeks, it remains to be seen whether Sulc is solely a replacement target if that scenario occurs, or whether he's a player Boro are looking at regardless of whether their number 20 stays or goes.

However, should he indeed leave the club, then Middlesbrough could be ready to splash out on the Czech as his successor.