Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Stoke City plot Norwich and Boro raids plus interest in reported target

Despite uncertainty about his own future, Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock believes the club will need ‘five or six’ new additions this summer, but also admitted some players may have to be sold.

The latest man to be linked with a move away from the Riverside is midfielder Paddy McNair, with Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill reportedly interested.

McNair played regularly under O'Neill when the latter was in charge of Northern Ireland, a role he left permanently in April this year.

And according to Irish paper the Sunday Life, the Stoke manager has immediately set his sights on capturing McNair and Norwich full-back Jamal Lewis.

Boro signed McNair for £5million from Sunderland in 2018 yet it’s been a challenging two years for the 25-year-old.

The midfielder was one of Boro’s best players under Jonathan Woodgate earlier in the season but has started the last two games on the bench since Neil Warnock’s appointment.

Whoever is in charge of Boro next season will be keen to address the side’s lack of goals.

The Teessiders are the lowest scorers in the Championship after finding the net just 46 times in 45 games.

One striker who has previously been linked with a move to Teesside is Aberdeen frontman Sam Cosgrove.

A report in Scotland even claimed former Boro assistant Robbie Keane had scouted Cosgrove during a match against Rangers in December.

Championship clubs Derby and Stoke have also been linked with the 23-year-old, who scored 11 league goals in the 2019/20 campaign.

Yet Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has confirmed there’s been an offer for Cosgrove from French side Guingamp.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, McInnes said: “If it’s a strong offer, it has to be looked at in the circumstances. We’ve been pretty strong about the fact we won’t sell willy-nilly, but the overall package [from Guingamp] was substantial.

“And, we know that this window and next is the best chance for us to maximise the potential of Sam because he’s got two seasons left of his deal.”

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