Middlesbrough transfer latest on Giles, Whittaker, Travers & Latte Lath
MIDDLESBROUGH are spinning several plates ahead of what looks set to be a busy end to the January transfer window on Teesside.
Boro remain hopeful of strengthening their squad in a number of positions ahead of the deadline on Monday, February 3.
At this stage, a deal to bring back former loanee Ryan Giles appears to be the closest, with Hull closing in on the loan signing of Charlie Taylor from Southampton as a possible replacement.
But Boro remain in discussions over several other targets in different areas of the pitch.
Both Boro and Burnley tabled bids for Morgan Whittaker earlier this week, though sources close to Argyle say offers received haven't been close to meeting their valuation.
Plymouth's new boss Miron Muslic said this week: "I will not confirm any rumours but Morgan is offensively our best player, our strongest player, and he's a target (for other clubs) naturally in January.
"He's still an Argyle player, he's still under contract so for us he's available and selectable. He has a value as a player and if other clubs want to grab him and to take him I think they have to pay the price for this."
Whittaker is expected to line-up for Plymouth in their game against Burnley at Home Park tonight.
Muslic added: "Until the other team is putting the money on the table that Argyle is demanding they are all our players and under contract. I think it's very important to stay professional all the time."
Whittaker is a long-term Boro target and was identified as a potential replacement for Isaiah Jones, who moved to Luton earlier in the window.
Boro remain hopeful of agreeing a deal to sign Mark Travers on loan from Bournemouth, though at this stage there have been no further developments on that front.
And they continue to assess midfield options. Glen Kamara, who will be allowed to leave Rennes this month, is one player Boro are keen on but he isn't the only midfielder on their radar this month.
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Emmanuel Latte Lath's future remains uncertain after Atlanta United's bid for the striker at this start of this month. Several other clubs - including some in the Premier League - have been monitoring Latte Lath in recent months and it remains unclear as to whether there will be any further bids for the striker in the coming days. If Latte Lath leaves, he'll be replaced.
Despite the uncertainty, Latte Lath has played and continued to impress for Boro, scoring at Portsmouth and the weekend and teeing up Ben Doak for his goal to secure three points against West Brom on Tuesday night. It was confirmed after the Albion win that the cut-off for Liverpool to recall Doak from his Boro loan has now passed.
Boro were without George Edmundson against the Baggies after Ipswich recalled the defender from his loan spell just hours before the game. Carrick confirmed afterwards that he remains keen on securing the permanent signing of Edmundson before the end of the window.
Talks with Hull over the signing of Giles - driven by Carrick, who is keen on reuniting with the former loanee - have been ongoing, with the Tigers hoping to offload the left-back this month. They've lined up Taylor as a replacement on loan until the end of the season and are waiting on a final decision from the Southampton left-back.
Giles was again absent from the Hull squad for last night's defeat to QPR.
“We’re always pushing to do something and looking to see where we can add and improve the group," said Boro boss Carrick, ahead of the final week and a half of the window.
"We’re doing that, it’s a constant thing, and sometimes it can chop and change from day to day in terms of what can be done. But it certainly doesn’t change the idea of what we’re trying to do and where we want to get to. We’re certainly pushing for things to happen. But we’ll have to wait and see what comes of it."