Assessing Middlesbrough's reported interest in Oxford's Rob Dickie amid Reading and Fulham links

It may seem premature to be talking about transfer speculation as EFL clubs face up to football’s new financial landscape – yet many could experience a large turnover of players when the game finally returns.
Oxford defender Rob Dickie has been linked with Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Fulham and Reading.Oxford defender Rob Dickie has been linked with Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Fulham and Reading.
Oxford defender Rob Dickie has been linked with Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Fulham and Reading.

Middlesbrough are just one of the clubs who have several players nearing the end of their contracts, with Adam Clayton, Daniel Ayala, Rudy Gestede, George Friend, Marvin Johnson, Ryan Shotton and Jonny Howson all facing uncertain futures.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, only Howson seemed likely to sign a new deal while question marks were lingering over the other six.

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If just a couple of the aforementioned players leave the club, they would need replacing, meaning recent reports linking Boro with Oxford centre-back Rob Dickie shouldn’t be immediately dismissed.

According to the Mirror, Boro have made checks on the defender, while Championship rivals Reading and Fulham are also interested.

It may merely turn out to be speculation but if Ayala, Friend and Shotton all depart, the Teessiders would be worryingly short at centre-half.

Head coach Jonathan Woodgate would like to sign on loan defender Harold Moukoudi permanently from St Etienne, yet there is likely to be competition for the imposing 22-year-old.

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That leaves just Dael Fry, teenager Nathan Wood and Sam Stubbs as Boro’s only other recognised centre-backs.

At 24, Dickie appears to meet the criteria of Boro’s new transfer policy. The central defender has potential to improve after racking up 86 League One appearances over the last three seasons.

Dickie, who has just over 12 months left on his Oxford contract, is also comfortable passing the ball out from the back and was made The U’s captain earlier this campaign.

Oxford, who are third in League One, will obviously be reluctant to lose one of their best players, yet there are fears the current climate may force some clubs to sell.

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Exactly how much financial clout Boro will have compared to their Championship rivals is unclear, yet funds would presumably be freed up in wages if out-of-contract players depart.

Whether Dickie emerges as a genuine target remains to be seen, yet centre-back could become a depleted area for Boro in the coming months.

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