Middlesbrough FC transfer latest: Josh Coburn update, Rival club bid for Azaz + more | OneFootball

Middlesbrough, like all other Championship clubs, have a week off from league action to focus on the FA Cup, but they are getting right down to work when it comes to transfers.

Whilst some of their rivals will be standing still, the Teessiders are set to spend seven figures on improving their options in the final third, and there's set to be more to come if they can get their own way.

Rival club had bid accepted for Azaz

Middlesbrough should have the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Finn Azaz wrapped up sooner rather than later following his impressive season-and-a-half with Plymouth Argyle on loan.

With 12 goal contributions already this season, the 23-year-old has earned himself a £2.5 million move to the Riverside Stadium, but Boro have had to fend off significant interest and offers for their soon-to-be new attacking midfielder.

According to PlymouthLive, Bristol City also had an offer accepted from Villa for Azaz's services, but quite clearly he has opted to join Carrick at Boro, providing a medical is passed without a hitch.

Boro are quite clearly still a pull for players despite their indifferent form this season, and there will be hope that Azaz can inject some more creativity in the final third.

Carrick explains Boro's Coburn stance

After spending the 2022-23 season out on loan at Bristol Rovers of League One, gaining much needed game-time and experience, Josh Coburn returned to the Riverside Stadium in the summer with an uncertain future.

The young striker had showed moments of quality in the season prior, such as a winning FA Cup goal against Tottenham, but it wasn't certain that he would be in Michael Carrick's plans - especially after the addition of Emmanuel Latte Lath.

The 21-year-old has started plenty of matches this season though and scored five league goals, and because of that, Michael Carrick has no plans to loan him out at any point this month.

"No," Carrick said on whether or not he would be sending Coburn out once more, via TeessideLive.

"Giving players the opportunity and the chance to see what they can do is important, it goes back to not being too judgmental on a week-to-week basis or over a month.

"It's about trying to give the lads a chance over a period of time and Josh has improved so much since he came back in pre-season.

"Experience and game-time helps that, training with the boys, and naturally the age he's at. He's done really well and he came back from his injury particularly well."

Defender is Middlesbrough's priority but striker is wanted too

Middlesbrough are set to have their first transfer deal of the month confirmed in the form of Azaz, but there is the scope to add more to Carrick's squad as well.

And according to a report from The Northern Echo, the main transfer priority now is to bring in some strength in depth in defence.

Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith have both suffered season-ending injuries, whilst Anfernee Dijksteel and Paddy McNair are also absent with their own physical issues, so there is a need to strengthen, whether it is at right-back or in the middle of the back-line.

There will also be close monitoring of the transfer market for a new striker, despite the fact that Carrick has both Latte Lath and Coburn to select.

Aside from that though, and with Marcus Forss preferred on the wing when fit, Boro are lacking at the top end of the pitch, and a fresh face in the attack could really turn their season around.