Middlesbrough transfer rumours: Latest on Liverpool man plus left-back interest hots up

Boro are close to finalising Patrick Roberts’ return to the Riverside on a season-long loan from Manchester City, while the club have also enquired about signing another defender.

Here are some of the latest transfer rumours concerning the Teessiders and their league rivals:

Latest on Liverpool defender

One player who has been linked with a move to the Championship is Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips.

Nottingham Forest and Bristol City have also been credited with interest in the 23-year-old who was loaned out to German club Stuttgart last season.

According to the Athletic’s James Pearce, Reds trio Phillips, Ben Woodburn and Yasser Larouci are all attracting interest from Football League clubs and are expected to leave Anfield on loan.

None of the aforementioned players have been included in Liverpool’s 24-man Champions League squad which was announced on Thursday.

Competition for Chelsea left-back

Another name which has emerged recently is that of Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman.

The 26-year-old looked set to move abroad before Monday’s international deadline but is now expected to join a Championship club after nothing materialised.

It was claimed earlier this week Boro had made an offer for Rahman, while the Evening Standard report Watford are one of a number of Championship teams interested.

The report states, Watford are in the market for a left-back and are also interested in Leeds’ Barry Douglas who is expected to leave Elland Road in the next week.

The Hornets are said to be happy with the make-up of their squad following the closing of the international window, yet there may still be Premier League interest in first-team trio Craig Dawson, Ismaila Sarr and Troy Deeney.

Defender joins Charlton

Finally, defender Chris Gunter has joined Charlton following his release by Reading.

The right-back, 31, was loosely linked with Boro at the end of last season but a move to the Riverside never really looked likely.

Gunter has signed a two-year deal at the Valley, with the option of a third year.

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