Middlesbrough and Coventry linked with MLS star as Carrick discusses Boro exit
The latest news from Middlesbrough as Kim Hellberg looks to guide the club back into the Premier League.
Middlesbrough and Coventry City could be facing a considerable outlay if they opt to make a move for FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey during the summer transfer window.
The Togo international became a surprise signing for the MLS outfit when they agreed to pay around £12million to secure his services just over two years ago. Since then, Denkey has impressed by plundering his way to 20 goals and three assists in 39 appearances for Cincinnati and that has reportedly attracted interest from elsewhere. Journalist Alan Nixon has claimed Boro and title rivals Coventry City are both interested in the striker and they consider their options ahead of a possible return to the Premier League.
A sizeable fee is likely to be required to tempt the MLS side into parting company with their prize asset - but Football League World have also revealed Boro or Coventry would have to meet some sizeable wage demands based on Denkey’s current salary at Cincinnati. As MLS salaries are public knowledge, Denkey’s guaranteed salary for the 2025 season was around £2.82million per year, which works out at roughly £64,000 per week. That places him in the top 20 highest paid players across the MLS and would surely mean either Championship club would have to secure promotion into the Premier League before they can afford to even consider a firm bid for the striker’s services this summer.
Carrick reflects on Boro exit
Michael Carrick is keen to see Middlesbrough bring a successful conclusion to their bid for promotion into the Premier League this season.
Just over seven months have passed since the former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder parted company with Boro and he has since returned to management after taking interim charge of another of his former clubs, Manchester United, following the departure of Ruben Amorim. Carrick has been discussing his time at Boro in a recent interview and expressed his pride at what he achieved during his time in charge at the Riverside Stadium - and he stressed he is hopeful his old club can secure their place in the Premier League this season.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Carrick said of his departure: ““Of course, results are what you’re judged on, and I get it and I understand it. But there’s a lot more as a coach and as a manager, that I try to impact as well. There was disappointment that it came to an end. But, at the same time, I was proud of what we had done, and I’m delighted to see them doing so well at the moment.
“It happens, everything comes to an end. Two and a half years is quite a long stint in football nowadays! Particularly when you look at the averages around that league. It happens. Unfortunately, we tried to get promoted and we didn’t manage to do it. But at the moment, they look like they’ve got a really good chance. Hopefully they can pull it off.”
Your next Middlesbrough read: 'The frustration was' - Kim Hellberg takes positives despite Middlesbrough’s draw with struggling Oxford