Middlesbrough left-back and Ryan Giles latest with transfer stance clear

MIDDLESBROUGH will continue to monitor Ryan Giles' situation but are not currently pursuing any other left-backs and would be happy to go into the season with their current options if the opportunity to re-sign the former loanee doesn't present itself this summer.

Giles' future is still unclear as things stand, with a permanent move to Hull City from Luton not yet confirmed. Even if that switch is finalised, there remains an element of uncertainty about his position at the MKM Stadium given the Tigers have switched bosses since the left-back joined in what was initially a loan switch in January.

Boro, who would favour a loan, are keeping tabs on the matter. But it's not clear at this stage whether a deal will doable and it's not a situation that is likely to be resolved any time soon.

And if a deal can't be struck, Boro would be more than comfortable going into next season with Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura as their left-back options. If Giles was made available, it would understandably grab Boro's attention after the 24-year-old starred on loan at the Riverside in the 2022/23 season, but strengthening at left-back is otherwise not seen as a priority this summer.

Engel endured an up and down first campaign in England but will be hoping to kick on with a year of Championship experience under his belt, while Bangura showed promising flashes in an injury-hit first season.

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Boro aren't pursuing any other left-backs as things stand and there was bewilderment at the Riverside this week when reports emerged claiming Sheffield United's Max Lowe had turned down a move to Teesside.

Lowe, who is a free agent this summer and swapping United for Sheffield rivals Wednesday, has never featured in Boro's transfer thinking and there was no interest whatsoever in bringing the 27-year-old to the Riverside.

Boro's next transfer priority is the capture of a striker, and while leading targets have been identified, the Championship promotion hopefuls are happy to be patient on that front.

Boro have made an extremely encouraging start to the window, with Luke Ayling and Delano Burgzorg already through the door and midfielder Aidan Morris set to join from Columbus Crew.