Middlesbrough eyeing "shock move" for EFL defender | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are considering a move for Swindon Town defender Harrison Minturn this month.

That is according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, who reports that Boro are lining up a "shock move" for the centre-half this month.

Middlesbrough eyeing Harrison Minturn

According to Alan Nixon's report, the Swindon Town prospect could be sold and moved on from the County Ground before the end of the January transfer window.

As such, Middlesbrough are set to be checking him out as a potential addition to their squad.

Minturn has played 23 matches in all competitions for Swindon Town so far this season.

18 of these have come in League Two.

The Robins are currently 17th in the fourth tier.

Who is Harrison Minturn?

As mentioned above, Harrison Minturn is a defender who currently plays his football for Swindon Town in League Two.

It is with the Robins that Minturn came through as a prospect, too, with the 20-year-old an academy product.

Minturn's first team debut came in the EFL Trophy during the 2021/22 season, turning out for Swindon at the County Ground versus Newport County in a 1-0 victory.

Since then, Minturn has taken his Swindon Town appearance tally to 36.

Minturn has also had three loan spells between his Swindon debut and now, though.

Firstly with Chippenham Town in the National League South in 2021/22 and then in 2022/23, he first joined Gloucester City in the National League North before returning to Chippenham for another short stint.

This season has seen Minturn break into the Swindon side, with the 20-year-old playing an increasingly important role at the club as the season has progressed.

As mentioned above, so far he has played 23 games in all competitions, with 18 of those coming in the the league.

If Middlesbrough do want Minturn, they will have to cough up a fee, with the player contracted at the County Ground until 2025.

In fact, it was only back in October that Minturn put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club.

At the time, the club's head of football Jamie Russell told Swindon Town club media: "It’s great to have a local lad come through the academy and receive his first professional contract."

“Mino has adapted really well to first-team men's football and produced key performances last season with Carlisle at home and Leyton Orient away.

“For the academy, it's vital to have a player who reflects the values of not only the first-team but the club as well and he demonstrates this on a regular basis and we're delighted he sees his future with Swindon Town Football Club."

Middlesbrough need defensive cover

This month, Middlesbrough have been linked with a number of central defenders with the club needing cover in the position.

This comes after an injury to Boro defender Darragh Lenihan.

Eight weeks ago, the Irish defender confirmed via social media that he was going to be out for the remainder of the season, leaving Carrick slightly short at the back.

It will certainly be interesting to see if Boro do end up getting a deal for Minturn over the line ahead of the February 1st transfer deadline.