An analysis of Middlesbrough's rollercoaster 23/24 summer transfer window
- jacobraw123
- Sep 3, 2023
- 7 min read
Just like that, the transfer window has shut and Middlesbrough have yet again endured a major summer rebuild. Its been a whirlwind of a transfer window for everyone associated with MFC as the club have clearly taken a new approach to their transfer business. With emotional farewells to enlivening welcomes, lets breakdown Boro's 23/24 summer transfer window.
Middlesbrough were one of the slower starters in the league when it came to rumours and signings, with the likes of Norwich getting a lot of their business done early. However, we would soon find out that Boro's signings came in two waves if you like. The first being 5 signings coming in the space of a week when the squad started their pre-season training in Portugal. The latter being the last 2-3 weeks of the window, where they signed they're 12th and final player on deadline day. I will now run through the timeline of each of these Boro signings and give a detailed recap of each new face that's arrived on Teesside.
The first through the door was youngster Alex Gilbert who joined Boro on a 4 year deal from Brentfords academy, Brentford B. The fee was a reported 600k with add-ons that could take the deal up to 1million, the deal also included a sell on clause for Brentford. Boro managed to beat of competition from premier league outfits such as, Wolves and Nottingham Forest for Alex's signature. There's no surprise these clubs were in for him as he helped the academy win the Premier League Cup, scoring 16 times, assisting 8 and winning their player of the year.
He was shortly followed by highly-rated 18 year old defender, Rav Van Den Berg from Dutch side PEC Zwolle, who was signed on another 4 year deal. Middlesbrough won the race to the teenagers signature as it had been reported that he was attracting interest from European giants like Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Roma. His market value lies at 400k but the deal was for an undisclosed fee.
these two signings were a sign of the clubs structure going forward, and as we saw these two young talented players were the first of a couple more similar profiles the club were looking to bring in this summer. The new model is clear for fans to see, as moving forward Boro are looking to rely less on loan deals, like last season, but instead invest in young talented players on big contracts that can be sold for profit in the future. Fans have noticed and compared the clubs new ideology to the likes of Brentford and Brighton who are now battling for European success.
Following on, Boro added two Australians too their ranks in the names of Samuel Silvera and Tom Glover, both coming to Teesside on 3 year deals from the A-League. Left winger Silvera, was bought from silverware winners Central Coast Mariners for around 700k on a 3 year deal - Another young player that fits the clubs new model. After already impressing for Boro, he has been called up to the Australian first team for the first time. Lifelong Middlesbrough fan George Farrar from down south shared his thoughts on Silvera so far:" He makes things happen... every time he is on the ball I get excited, he is the first proper winger we have had in what feels like forever."
Other signing Tom Glover, also got called up for duty by the Socceroo's, he was brought in from Melbourne City on a free, where the Ex-Spurs academy stopper enjoyed winning plenty of honors, including winning the A-League 3 times.
It didn't stop there for Boro, as they then confirmed their fifth signing within the space of days from the first, bringing in highly rated youngster Morgan Rogers, who came through Manchester City's academy. The versatile attacker joined on a 4 year contract with the deal believed to be around the 1.5 million pound mark. Middlesbrough fans initially saw Rogers playing as a number 9, but has now been dropped into the number 10 role to help fill the gaps left by departures.
Speaking about departures, Boro then turned their attention to completing their goalkeeper union. After Zack Steffen returned to Manchester City, Joe Lumley being released, Liam Roberts and youth keepers being lined up for loan moves, Boro were left extremely thin in in the goalkeeper department. QPR's Seny Dieng was a priority for Michael Carrick, as himself and the recruitment team searched the market for a number 1 that could emulate Steffen from last season. This meant finding a 'modern day' goalkeeper if you like, someone who is comfortable with the ball at their feet. Seny is more than comfortable when it comes to this, in fact you can often see him lingering far from home outside his box when Boro are advanced upfield, looking like he's itching to have a touch. It makes you wonder if he was an outfielder player growing up, and for what its worth I would bet you he was, the goal he scored against Sunderland last season helps my case too. The former AFCON winner signed a 4 year deal as he is entering his prime years with the club. The fee reported was 2 million pounds.
Boro then picked up their third choice goalkeeper in the experienced Jamie Jones from Wigan on a free transfer. The 34 year old put pen to paper for a one year deal.
Boro fans then had to experience a bit of a barren run when it came to rumours, let alone signings for a few weeks, until after the season had already started. Still yet to fill the gaping hole now premier league man, Ryan Giles left behind, reports out of Denmark suggested a left back named Lukas Engel was headed to the riverside. The reports turned out to be true as Boro tried to get the deal finalized as quick as possible. The defender arrived from Danish 1st tier outfit, Silkeborg IF on another 4 year deal believed to be worth 1.3 million pounds. The 24 year old fullback is attacking minded and is looking to help Boro at both ends of the pitch this season.
Onto Boro's most expensive signing of the summer, 'The Coffee man'- Emmanuel Latte Lath. The Ivorian goal scorer arrived on sizzling form from Italian side Atlanta, coming off a good pre season with Atlanta and a successful loan at Swiss side St. Gallen, where he managed 20 goal contributions in 34 games. He arrived on a 4 year deal with an option for a further year, the fee reported was around 4.5 million pounds with a possible extra 1 million in add-ons. A reported 10% sell on clause was included for Atlanta. Boro's new number 9 is already off the mark and has fans off their seats every game with his electrifying pace. Season ticket holder Myles Harding had this to say about the new man:" You can tell he is a natural goal scorer, his movement and hunger alone will get him so many goals. He is going to be top class for us."
Days before the transfer window closed, Boro dipped into the loan market for the first time to bolster their options in midfield. They brought in left footed midfielder Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham Forest on a season long loan, Lewis had spent the second half of the 22/23 season out in the MLS with DC United. Lewis comes to Boro with a proven Championship track record, reaching the play-off final with Huddersfield in the 21/22 season. In that season he was in the top ten Championship players for dribbles completed (2nd) and tackles won (6th). He was also appreciated by other Boro fans at the time, as podcaster and writer, Dana Malt, had this to say about Lewis regarding his time with the Terriers:" When Lewis O'brien was at Huddersfield, he was the type of midfielder you admire from afar because there's just no way your club is signing him. Exciting that we can now say we have him!"
Boro also brought in Leeds United youngster Sam Greenwood on a season long loan, he was described as a dead ball specialist for Leeds - music to Boro fans ears. At the time of writing Middlesbrough have the lowest xG in the league for set pieces. The former Arsenal academy man has experience in the Premier League where Marcelo Bielsa gave him his first professional league appearances. Bielsa played Sam as a number 9/10, however when Jesse March took over he was then deployed in a deeper midfield role. The young man is another versatile player Boro have added to their ranks. No buy option was included in the deal as he is highly rated by United.
Last but not least Middlesbrough went back in for a target they were linked with early into the window, Alex Bangura. Boro agreed a deal worth 1 million pounds for Dutch side SC Cambuur's skipper, as he signed a 4 year deal. Head coach Michael Carrick said:" He's a really exciting signing!" as they finalized the deal for the Sierra Leone international in the final hours of the transfer window being open. A strong and fast player who will provide competition for Lukas Engel at left back.
Phew! Plenty of changes for the Boro this summer and only time will tell how successful each signing will turn out to be. Now we have covered the signings, lets look at Boro's overall net spending.
The big story of the summer was of course Chuba Akpom, as Boro's number 29 who scored 29 goals last season, departed to join Dutch giants Ajax in a deal worth 10.5 million pounds up front. There were also question marks over Argentine Martin Payero and if he was going to be given a chance under Carrick. This wasn't the case as he was sold to Italian side Udinese for a deal worth 2.5 million pounds upfront for Boro, a truly disappointing signing for Boro fans and the club... but hey we always have that memory in Cardiff.
After gathering research from these outgoings and others like Marc Bola etc. I have calculated Boro to have brought in around 13.5 million pounds in outgoings. As for incomings, again from research I have calculated the club to have spent 12 million pounds on incomings, leaving Boro with a net spending of +1.5 million pounds at a rough calculation. In my personal opinion, the hierarchy at the club have done a good job in getting big wages off the books, investing in youth and setting the club up for the years to come. Obviously its been a rough start to the season to say the least, but there's plenty of time to put things right and the international break has come as a saving grace.
This is how Middlesbrough FC's squad has been left looking after a big transfer window here on Teesside:
Lets hear from the fans!
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH BORO'S TRANSFER WINDOW?
YES
NO
IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
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