Middlesbrough step up striker search as Neil Warnock sends message to Premier League clubs

The likes of Marcus Tavernier and Dael Fry have previously been linked with Premier League clubs, yet Warnock is keen to build his side around the two academy products.

“I think there will be speculation about players leaving and everything like that coming up,” said Warnock ahead of Boro’s meeting with Wycombe.

“The lads concerned know, ‘forget what you read in the papers you’re not going anywhere’, and they know how important they are.

“The type of lads that we’ve got that we are talking about are absolute gems, they want to get success, they want the club to go forward .

“You haven’t got anybody knocking on my door saying they want to go to the Premier League or my agent says this or that, they all want Middlesbrough to do well and it’s a great place to be that.”

Boro’s priority this summer will be to bolster their attacking options, with Warnock saying last week he wants to sign three new strikers.

The Teessiders are also assessing the foriegn market, after Warnock’s assistant Ronnie Jepson recently travelled abroad to scout players.

“Even as we talk now, we have to look at foriegn players in all leagues, we are trying to organise trips to watch a couple of players with quarantines and everything. It is a nightmare,” Warnock added.

“I won’t be signing anybody without either myself or one of my sidekicks watching them.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Middlesbrough coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor