Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Stoke lead race for reported Boro and Nottingham Forest target plus Marcus Browne interest

There are lots of decisions to be made at Rockliffe, starting with the future of Neil Warnock and whether he will stay on as manager for the 2020/21 campaign.

Yet whoever is in charge, Boro will have to address their unbalanced squad – a squad which is even more depleted following the departures of several first-team players who were out of contract.

Warnock has held meetings with the club’s recruitment team in recent weeks, and speculation has already begun about potential signings.

Boro have been heavily linked with Wigan striker Kieffer Moore in the last few days, while other players have been mentioned.

One name which has previously cropped up is Welsh left-back Morgan Fox who decided against signing a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday.

According to TeamTalk, Boro, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley are all potential destinations for the 26-year-old, yet Stoke are on course to win the battle.

Fox made 27 league appearances for Wednesday during the 2019/20 campaign.

Warnock said last week he thinks Boro need to sign five or six players down the spine of the team this summer, but did admit some players may have to be sold.

One man who is already being eyed up is winger Marcus Browne, with Oxford keen to re-sign the winger.

The 22-year-old has impressed during two separate loan spells at the Kassam Stadium, the second of which ended in disappointment as the U’s lost in the League One play-offs earlier this month.

Yet Oxford boss Karl Robinson is keen to bring Browne back to the club, and believes a deal is possible.

“I think we need to bid for players," Robinson told the Oxford Mail. “I think we need to put money on the table. We know the players we want and what they’re going to cost.

“I think there’s a necessity to sign Matty Taylor.”

“Why can’t you go and buy the likes of Browney?

“Bring in young players that will give you the opportunity not only to get promoted but sustain Championship survival.”

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