Middlesbrough transfer latest as duo near exit door and Michael Carrick update emerges

Middlesbrough put in a spirited performance in the FA Cup against Fulham on Saturday, but ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat. Now, attention must return to seeing through their Premier League promotion push.

With the January window now open, Boro can strengthen their squad in a bid to consolidate second place in the Championship table. Indeed, Brighton forward Jeremy Sarmiento and Hull centre-back Charlie Hughes were both linked with the Riverside Stadium last week. However, it’s outgoing transfers that seem to be dominating the headlines on Monday morning...

Gerhard Struber addresses Delano Burgzorg rumours

He remains an important squad member, but Delano Burgzorg has found himself in and out of the Middlesbrough starting line-up so far this season. The 27-year-old forward - who can play as a striker or out wide - has registered just one goal and two assists in 22 Championship appearances and is now being linked with a move away from the Riverside in order to command more minutes.

Bristol City - themselves battling for promotion - appear to be are the front of the queue right now, and when asked directly, manager Gerhard Struber admitted Burgzorg is one of multiple options.

"I don't read so much from the media. We speak at the moment, and we are in touch with more strikers at the moment,” said Struber. "But this must be, in the end, a striker (who) is super convinced to be here, and he must be, in the end, a striker who can help the team techincal-tactical-wise, but also mental-wise.

"We are here in exchange with more strikers, and we will see which one decides to jump here and in which direction we decide to bring someone in."

Seny Dieng stance complicates Hull move

Seny Dieng is another player linked with a Middlesbrough exit this January, but given the goalkeeper hasn’t played a competitive match since December 2024 after losing his place in the team and then suffering an ACL injury, his sale likely wouldn’t hurt as much as Burgzorg’s.

Hull are looking to complete a deal for Dieng this month, and the EFL have already approved such a move that would see the Senegal international complete a free transfer to the MKM Stadium - thus staying in line with the transfer restrictions placed upon the Tigers until the summer of 2026. Dieng earns just under £25,000 per week at Middlesbrough, and it’s understood the player is insisting on a large settlement before completing any deal with Hull, which is slowing down a potential move right now.

The 31-year-old has played 52 times for Boro since joining from QPR in the summer of 2023, keeping 15 clean sheets and conceding 68 goals.

Leo Castledine speaks out after completing Boro switch

Boro have already completed their first January signing, bringing in Leo Castledine from Chelsea last week. The talented attacking midfielder spent the first half of this season on loan at Huddersfield Town, registering an impressive 12 goals and three assists in 27 appearances across all competitions - including 10 goals and two assists in 23 League One outings. That’s off the back of a 26-game, two-goal spell at Shrewsbury last season, while he’s also made one senior appearance for Chelsea.

Castledine has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Riverside Stadium, stating he’s ‘over the moon’ to join such a ‘massive club’.

"I’m absolutely over the moon to join what is a massive, massive club,” the 20-year-old said. "It’s a really big step for me in my career and I’m very excited to be here. There’s always been trust in young players at this club if they can perform, and I want to perform at my highest level.

"I’m fit, healthy and I’ve been playing well, so I feel ready to go. I want to help the team as much as I can from the first day."

Man Utd accelerate plans to appoint former Boro boss Michael Carrick

Former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick is now the frontrunner to become interim Manchester United manager until the end of the season. Carrick took charge of 136 Boro matches between October 2022 and June 2025, earning great plaudits for his style of play and leading them to the Championship playoffs in 2022/23, where they lost 1-0 in the semi-final to Coventry. A midfielder who played 464 games for Manchester United across 12 years - winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League - Carrick has already served once as interim boss at Old Trafford, winning two and drawing one of his three matches at the end of 2021, before the appointment of Ralf Rangnick.

Now Sky Sports are reporting that United are accelerating their move to appoint Carrick until the end of the season following ‘impressive’ meetings with director of football Jason Wilcox, though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also remains a candidate to return to Old Trafford.