Middlesbrough's Ryan Giles transfer strategy revealed with eye on Luton Town and Hull City | OneFootball

The left-back has been a loan target for Michael Carrick all summer, but is not essential to the squad.

Middlesbrough are still keen on Luton Town's Ryan Giles and are keeping tabs on his situation at Hull City but he is not seen as a priority this summer, as per The Northern Echo.

The left-back spent the 2022/23 season with Michael Carrick's side, but after another loan to fellow Championship side Hul last campaign, his future is still to be decided.

Giles is not a priority this summer

According to The Northern Echo, Giles is not seen as a priority by the Teessiders, who would prefer to re-sign him on loan if possible.

Boro are thought to be keeping tabs on his situation, with Hull said to have a £4m option to sign him permanently this summer, but currently have two players in the left-back position that they are happy to continue with if they cannot agree to a workable deal, with Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura sharing the role last time out.

Despite an inconsistent season for Engel in 2023/24, Carrick is happy with the Dane, who will be hoping to improve in his second year in England. Engel made 35 appearances in the Championship last season after his move from Silkeborg IF in August 2023.

After starting the first three games of Luton's Premier League campaign, Giles found himself out of favour after Alfie Doughty made the position his own as the season wore on.

The young full-back moved to Hull to see out the season under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, and despite the Tigers looking keen to retain the services of Giles on a permanent deal, a change of manager at the MKM Stadium could have an impact on the deal.

Giles made 17 appearances for Hull in the Championship, as they finished just outside the play-offs following a final day loss to Plymouth Argyle.

Although Boro are not necessarily prioritising a left-back in the transfer window, his loan move to Teesside two years ago is still fresh in the mind of Carrick - with his performances helping the team to a fourth place finish in the second tier.

His experience in the Championship makes him an ideal addition to the side, after making over 130 appearances in the division in a relatively short career to date.

Reports in the week had linked Middlesbrough to Sheffield Wednesday's new signing Max Lowe, with it being said that the former Derby County and Nottingham Forest player rejected a move to the Riverside.

However, with Engel looking to improve further, and Bangura hoping to put his injury issues behind him, Boro are well-covered in the left-back department and The Northern Echo claim they were never in the race for Lowe.

Middlesbrough are hoping to target other areas

Despite the transfer window opening just over a week ago, Middlesbrough have already been active in signing new players.

Luke Ayling and Delano Burgzorg both made moves to the club in the last few weeks, with Ayling making a permanent switch from Leeds United after spending the back-half of last season on loan at Teesside.

Columbus Crew's Aidan Morris is also set to join the club, after reports emerged that the two clubs had agreed a deal worth just over £3 million for the young American.

Nevertheless, according to The Northern Echo, Boro are still searching for a striker to compete against Emmanuel Latte Lath and Josh Coburn, who is expected to be fit following an injury-hit second half of the season.