Middlesbrough 'line up' Bundesliga star to address potential midfield crisis
Middlesbrough could find themselves short in midfield this summer, but they've already lined up one possible target.
Middlesbrough have entered the race for FC Augsburg midfielder Robin Fellhauer, according to reports.
Boro are currently second in the Championship with just seven games to go. Kim Hellberg’s men cannot afford to let their current three-game winless streak continue, with Ipswich Town and Millwall just two points behind - the former with a game in hand. However, they still have to play both promotion rivals, starting with Millwall at home following the international break.
With that in mind, players, staff and fans alike will still be optimistic about playing in the Premier League next season, and it appears that the powers that be at the Riverside Stadium are already planning for that eventuality this summer.
Middlesbrough targeting Bundesliga dynamo
According to Sky Sports Deutschland, Middlesbrough are one of numerous English clubs showing interest in Fellhauer, who is an extremely versatile member of Manuel Baum’s squad.
Nominally a defensive midfielder, the 28-year-old can also operate as a more advanced No.8, as well as playing as a wing-back or wide midfielder on either side - but more often on his preferred right flank. Fellhauer only joined Augsburg from Elversberg last summer, but has already made 29 appearances for the Bavarian club across all competitions, registering two goals and two assists during that time.
In Bundesliga play, the Freiburg youth product has impressed with 5.29 duels won, 2.26 touches in the opposition box and 1.25 fouls won per 90 minutes. Fellhauer is under contract until 2029 and has a market value of €3million (£2.6m) according to Transfermarkt, meaning Boro would have to part with a relatively substantial fee to secure his services.
Sky’s report also states that Burnley were interested in Fellhauer during the winter transfer window, though in the end, the Clarets picked James Ward-Prowse as their only January signing - on loan from fellow strugglers West Ham United. Fellhauer has played in all 27 of Augsburg’s Bundesliga matches this season, starting 25 of them and helping die Fuggerstädter sit 10th in the table, seven points clear of relegation trouble.
Middlesbrough looking for midfield solutions
After failing to make an impact following his move from Troyes, Middlesbrough allowed Abdoulaye Kante to join Saint-Etienne on loan in January, and it’s understood the Frenchman wants to make that move permanent.
What’s more, Alan Browne’s long-term future remains up in the air, despite the success he’s enjoyed on loan from Sunderland. Most pressingly, Hayden Hackney is arguably the best player in the Championship right now, and regardless of whether or not Boro reach the Premier League, interest in him will be high this summer. The England youth international has registered six goals and seven assists across all competitions this season, turning heads around Europe and the English top flight.
With that in mind, there could be a serious shortage of numbers and quality through the middle at the Riverside Stadium next season, so it’s absolutely no surprise to see Boro beginning the process of identifying targets in that position.
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