Middlesbrough should have ambitious Blackburn Rovers raid on their radar: View | OneFootball

Middlesbrough missed out on a Championship play-off place this time around and may look to the transfer market for attacking reinforcements in the hope of securing promotion next season.

They could do worse than to sound out the league's current top scorer, Sammie Szmodics, who would not come cheap thanks to his exploits this season, but may be persuaded by the switch.

Middlesbrough were not miles away from earning a chance in the play-offs, and one quality signing may be all that is required to fire them over the line at the next time of asking.

A player like Szmodics would also likely create lethal combinations with the striking power Boro already have and would put them in an extremely strong position to mount a serious promotion bid next season.

It will not take much convincing to sell clubs on the idea of bringing the 28-year-old in, having notched 25 goals and provided a further four assists in 42 Championship appearances this season.

They would be impressive numbers for a creative midfielder at the top end of the table, so the fact that Szmodics has managed that as part of relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers deserves even further credit, and suggests it may be time for a move away from Ewood Park.

Boro, under Michael Carrick, do not look a million miles away from a serious promotion challenge, whereas Rovers may have some considerable work to do if they are to survive relegation and improve their performance next season.

Szmodics could be a good fit at the Riverside Stadium

With the Republic of Ireland international usually playing a deeper role, he could slot in perfectly behind current frontman Emmanuel Latte Lath, who has notched 14 goals and one assist himself this season, more than anyone else in Carrick's side.

The prospect of having both of those attacking dangers to contend with would be enough to strike fear in most Championship sides, and would make the side one of the favourites for an automatic spot next season.

Blackburn will be only too aware of how much they have relied on Szmodics this season, so will not want to let him go easily, but he would surely relish the opportunity to be a key figure in a side battling for Premier League promotion.

It would be an ambitious move, but not impossible to pull off

Under owner Steve Gibson, Boro are in a positive financial position, and he strikes as the type of owner who will invest sensibly when there is progress to be made.

They will face tough competition for the 28-year-old's signature as Celtic and Luton Town have both been linked with an interest, and the advances are unlikely to end there thanks to the incredible season he has had with Rovers.

A Premier League offer may be difficult to turn down, especially with Szmodics confirming it is his dream to reach the top flight, but his head could be turned if Carrick can present to him an airtight plan for promotion and guaranteed game time, something he may not be afforded if he jumps straight to the Premier League now.

Blackburn have him under contract until at least 2026, with the option for a further year, so they hold all the cards in the negotiations and will likely demand a substantial fee for one of today's most proven second-tier goalscorers, but they may have their hand forced if the player makes his intention to leave clear.

His output throughout 2023/24 demands that he should be fighting for Championship promotion at a minimum, not battling down at the other end of the table, which is something Szmodics himself and his current club surely recognise.

It would be an audacious move, and catch many other Championship promotion hopefuls by surprise, but if Boro are serious about automatic promotion next season, they need to consider a serious move. Szmodics fits that bill, and they should do everything they can to make it happen.