Middlesbrough are in talks to sign Ryan Giles from Hull City this month - and it's divided opinion.

The left-back enjoyed a superb spell on loan at Boro from Wilves in the 2022-23 season, registering 12 assists as Boro reached the Championship play-offs. Failing to go up though, Giles opted instead to join newly-promoted Luton Town.

As that move did not work out, he's spent the last year at Hull City, but has struggled to make an impact at the MKM Stadium either. Told he can leave the club this month, Boro are hoping it's third time lucky as they attempt to reunite with the attacking full-back this month after talks in the summer broke down.

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While Giles proved his quality at Boro, a combination of his defensive weaknesses and his difficult 18 months has caused concerns for sections of the Boro fanbase. And with that in mind, we asked our fan panel this week: Will Ryan Giles be a good signing for Boro? Our panel this week consists of Youtuber and talkSport journalist Phil Spencer, Boro Breakdown co-host Dana Malt, Boropolis co-founder Chris Cassidy and Twe12th Man member John Donovan.

Dana Malt

I’d like Giles back at Boro. The last couple of years has skewed the perception of him, but our left hand side has missed him since the very day he was no longer on the team sheet.

People will mention his defensive vulnerabilities, and whilst I do acknowledge that, he is no worse in that department than the left backs Michael Carrick currently has at his disposal. What he gives you at the other end, is what the likes of Neto Borges and Lukas Engel don’t - high quality crossing.

It’s clear that Boro are targeting a modern day full-back - somebody that can add to the attacking output as opposed to fixing the problems defensively. Giles’s creativity from wide certainly adds another layer to an attacking force that I do believe has become a little stale of late.

Good movement and anticipation in the box is also half of the story with Giles. You don’t get his 12 assists in 2022/23 without front footed forwards like Chuba Akpom for example. But who’s to say that sort of partnership can’t be struck up again? Any striker Boro have should be rubbing their hands together at the thought of his return.

John Donovan

It seems likely that the return of Ryan Giles to Boro will be completed during this January transfer window. Carrick obviously rates him, and he got the best out of him during a season long loan in the 2022/23 season. The clamour for a permanent signing was strong after that season, but newly promoted Luton Town offered him the chance of Premier league football after seeing how he performed for us.

The lure to test yourself in the top flight and the wages associated with the move saw him accept the challenge. Many Boro fans were disappointed that he moved on, but that's football, as Grant would say.

Since then, left back has been a problem position for Boro to fill. Bangura has had injury problems, and Engel and Borges have not shown any level of consistency to nail down that position. Giles skillset offers more in the forward play than our other full-backs, but he is still suspect defensively, as has been seen since he left Boro.

If the deal we thrash out is a loan with an option, not obligation, to buy, then I think it may benefit us. I hope he is one of those players who just seem to find the right club, the right manager, and that Boro are the club where he thrives.

Chris Cassidy

A lot of the time people are quick to focus on what Ryan Giles can’t do rather than what he can do. What Ryan Giles can do is deliver crosses into the box on a silver platter, and it’s that exact reason I’d be more than happy to see him return.

None of Boro’s current options at left-back have been at all convincing defensively, but they’ve also struggled to contribute offensively. Therefore, in a season where they’ve consistently struggled against low blocks, surely adding Giles’ crossing ability to their arsenal would be a net positive overall.

Despite understanding the scepticism around his drop in form since his loan spell, I’ve got full confidence Michael Carrick would also be able to get Giles back to a level close to the one that produced twelve assists in the 22/23 season.

I actually think some of the criticism surrounding his defensive ability is a little unwarranted as well. At the right price, I’d be chuffed to see him back.

Phil Spencer

I would 100 per cent be looking to sign Ryan Giles, but the price has got to be right. Giles was brilliant in the 2022/23 season and deservedly got his chance to play in the Premier League as a result. While things didn't work out for him with Lutonc, or with Hull since then, it doesn't make him a bad player.

In contrast, we must remember that it was Michael Carrick who got the best out of him, meaning that the Riverside could be the best place for him. There's no doubt that his stock has fallen in the last two years and Boro must remember that when entering negotiations - we do have other left-backs and the stance that we don't NEED him can only work in our favour, even if our existing options are average at best.

That said, I think we should push to try and get a deal done at the right price. As long as we pay a fair price for where he is right now, I think that it could prove to be a great deal and excellent value for money.

As well as hearing their views on particular Boro topics on Teesside Live each week, you can also hear from them further on their respective platforms. Phil Spencer runs his own Youtube channel which you can subscribe to here. Dana Malt is part of the Boro Breakdown Podcast, Chris Cassidy is part of the Boropolis Podcast, and John Donovan is part of the Twe12th Man Podcast, all of which you can listen to on all major podcast outlets..