Exclusive: David Prutton raises "early blow" for Middlesbrough in transfer chase for 25-year-old | OneFootball

Boro are looking to pursue targets in the early stages of the transfer window

After a disappointing end to the Championship campaign, Middlesbrough have made no secret about how they intend to carry out their summer transfer plans.

The Teesside outfit have been one of the second-tier's biggest-spending clubs ever since their fall back into the EFL eight years ago, but have failed to mount a sustained promotion bid in the vast majority of seasons throughout said timeframe.

Michael Carrick became just the second Boro boss since 2017 to deliver a play-off berth back in 2023, before being defeated by Coventry City over two legs. But, despite a continuous raft of high-profile additions and big-money transfers in the two seasons since, the former Manchester United midfielder hasn't been able to reach similar heights.

As a result, FLW exclusively revealed recently that the 43-year-old is facing the threat of the sack from owner Steve Gibson after ending the regular season with one win in the final six games and a 10th-place finish, four points outside the play-offs.

It has since been revealed by the Northern Echo that the Reds are looking to conduct an array of parts within their squad reshuffle this off-season as early as possible, although the likelihood of seeing any of the temporary additions made in January isn't high whatsoever.

With AFC Bournemouth loanee Mark Travers, arguably, the best performer of a quartet also formed by Samuel Iling-Junior, Ryan Giles and Kelechi Iheanacho, this comes as a huge blow for the club, who suffered major issues in the goalkeeping department throughout the campaign.

David Prutton issues "early blow" claim as Middlesbrough, Mark Travers developments emerge

All of Seny Dieng, Sol Brynn and Tom Glover featured between the sticks for Carrick in the first half of the season, before Travers moved to the Riverside Stadium on January 29th. Dieng and Brynn were both sidelined for the second half of the season and have differing timescales when it comes to a return to fitness.

However, after keeping four clean sheets in 17 games, it is expected that the Republic of Irishman is likely to receive stronger offers when it comes to a permanent switch away from the Vitality Stadium, which David Prutton believes is a problem for Boro heading into the summer window.

"Middlesbrough priced out of a move for Mark Travers. Yes, a potential early blow for Boro," he exclusively told Football League World.

"They want to get their recruitment done early, given the disappointment of the way the season panned out," the Sky Sports pundit added.

"They gave themselves an outside chance, didn't they? fighting on the final day. But, given what the past two seasons have brought up from Boro's point of view, Steve Gibson, you feel, will, alongside Michael Carrick, have that ambition to get at least back to the play-offs next season.

"If they are priced out of that move, it would be unfortunate given the value that he could add to the side," he explained. "But, if that's the case, you move on, you change tack, you focus on a different target and don't dwell on what could have been.

"There's plenty of competition, isn't there, for players and places in the Championship," Prutton concluded.

Whilst his spell in the North East didn't fully go according to plan, Travers has proven himself to be a steady pair of hands at this level, having kept 26 clean sheets in just 76 games during another loan stint with Stoke City, as well as Bournemouth, where he won promotion three years ago.

As previously highlighted, Boro suffered enough misfortune regarding their keepers this term, and a lack of continuity and stability across the back-line was one of several reasons as to why Carrick's men fell short of their aims.

However, whilst it will be frustrating that the 25-year-old is likely to be attracted to much more lucrative offers from elsewhere, the fact the club are looking to rectify their mishaps as early as possible bodes well for pre-season, as the addition of another target as soon as possible will see them become cohesive with the rearguard in front of them.