Middlesbrough in transfer tussle with Bournemouth & Lazio for 20-goal midfielder | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are one of a number of clubs linked with a move for the midfielder

Middlesbrough are among the clubs eyeing a move for Pavel Šulc from Viktoria Plzen this summer.

According to a report from The Mirror, the Championship side have made an enquiry about the attacking playmaker, who scored 20 goals in all competitions for Plzen last season.

Rob Edwards will be keen to bolster his options this summer after taking over at the Riverside Stadium in place of Michael Carrick.

The 24-year-old contributed 15 goals and nine assists from 35 appearances in the Czech First League last season, with his team coming second in the table, and he added five more goals in other competitions too.

Middlesbrough eye Pavel Šulc signing but face stiff top flight competition

Middlesbrough have reportedly made an enquiry to Viktoria Plzen about a potential move for Šulc this summer.

However, it’s understood that the Championship side will face competition from the likes of Bournemouth, Lazio, and other unnamed top flight clubs from around Europe for his signature.

It’s believed that no concrete offers have yet been made to the Czechia club, with sides still figuring out his potential availability.

The 24-year-old is into the final 12 months of his current contract, so Viktoria Plzen could be forced to sell in order to avoid losing him for nothing next year.

However, it remains unclear whether a move to Middlesbrough would be his preference at this stage, given that they are in the second tier of England and there is interest from the Premier League, Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Pavel Šulc signing has potential for Middlesbrough, but Rob Edwards may find it difficult to strike deal

The appointment of Edwards earlier this summer has seen Middlesbrough preparing for life under their new coach after nearly three years of Carrick, and the hierarchy on Teesside will be hoping that he can guide the club towards a promotion push this coming season.

So far though, no new faces have arrived through the door, and Edwards will be hoping to get some deals over the line soon, with Boro just weeks away from the start of the new season, getting their campaign underway with a clash at home against Swansea City on 9 August.

Being in the mix with Lazio and Bournemouth could make things tricky for Middlesbrough with a potential deal for Šulc, however.

The attacking midfielder has the potential to do quite well at the Riverside Stadium if they can get a deal over the line based on his level of performance both in Czechia and in European competition, but they of course have Finn Azaz in the number 10 role right now.

Šulc is a versatile midfield option that can play in a deeper or more advanced role, but he is definitely more proven in the latter - it doesn't look like he could be a Hayden Hackney replacement on paper as he continues to be linked away, with the Czech Republic international certainly providing far more of a goal threat.