Opinion: Landing 25-year-old could be the perfect finishing touch to Middlesbrough’s summer business | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are closing in on the signing of Matt Clarke from Brighton and Hove Albion according to The Daily Telegraph’s John Percy.

Boro have agreed a fee and should be moving closer to completing the deal in the coming days.

The left-footed centre back has impressed in loan spells at Derby County and West Bromwich Albion in the last few seasons.

Boro have been in for a left-sided centre back for a while, and Clarke is a very good alternative to Jacob Greaves, who recently committed his future to Hull City.

Three draws and two losses from their first five games has been a very disappointing start on Teesside, but with Clarke arriving they have assembled a very capable squad for the level.

The former Portsmouth man would be the sixth player at the club capable of playing in a back three, and he would improve the balance of the backline due to being naturally left-footed.

The 25-year-old demonstrated in his time at Derby that he is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and he could get forward to support attacks from left centre back, in a similar way to other players who have previously thrived in the role under Wilder.

The forward line was a concern heading into the season, but with Marcus Forss, Matthew Hoppe and Rodrigo Muniz signing in the last few weeks, there is also plenty of depth in the final third, with Chuba Akpom surprising many to begin the campaign in such good form.

Quiz: Can you name which club these 26 ex-Middlesbrough midfielders play for currently?

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Adam Clayton

Huddersfield Town Leeds United Doncaster Rovers Accrington Stanley

At 25, Clarke already has a lot of experience towards the top end of the Championship, and bringing him in should release Paddy McNair to play in the midfield trio.

With a like-for-like Marcus Tavernier replacement still not recruited, McNair could step into the midfield trio alongside Matt Crooks and Jonny Howson, or offer a backup option to the latter with Riley McGree establishing himself in the side.

Boro are running out of excuses boasting one of the most impressive squads in the division, and even though they have left it late in the transfer window to pad out their ranks, a top six finish should still be the minimum expectation.