Can Boro look to in seven players

MIDDLESBROUGH will be looking to strengthen their squad in certain key areas this summer and there's every chance that, to do so, they turn their attentions to one or two men whose names have popped up in the past.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Boro’s recruitment team have worked tirelessly in recent years to expand Boro’s global knowledge base of potential talent to sign, with a database full of potentially interesting names now safe at Rockliffe, added to constantly, and called upon when needed.

The idea is that, if the head coach says he wants, for example, a strong, athletic defensive-minded midfielder, the Boro scouting team can quickly produce a list of potential targets.

With Boro naturally exploring many of the players in their database and having conversations with agents to see who might be available ahead of each window, it’s little wonder that news often gets out of Boro’s interest, even if it’s not something that’s concrete at the time.

Nevertheless, there is often something in the fact that Boro at least have some admiration in the player and, with Boro’s summer needs in mind, we take a look at seven former targets who could still fit the bill this summer.

DAVID STRELEC

It's no secret that Boro’s recruitment team wanted to sign Strelec in January as their replacement for Emmanuel Latte Lath. Instead, the decision was made to go with Kelechi Iheanacho, because of his experience in England and the Championship. As that loan move failed though, Boro are now back in the market for a striker this summer.

Boro were offered encouragement back in January that Strelec would be keen on the move, while he’s not ruled out a move this summer either.