We've taken a look (via Transfermarkt data) at how Middlesbrough's five-year transfer net spend compares to every other Championship side, along with each teams most expensive signing over the period. Here's where Boro rank in the intriguing spending league table:
. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Britt Assombalonga of Middlesbrough celebrates with Marvin Johnson and teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Middlesbrough at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Birmingham, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Britt Assombalonga of Middlesbrough celebrates with Marvin Johnson and teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Middlesbrough at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Birmingham, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths
. Brentford - +£94m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: +£5.6m. Highest transfer fee paid: £5.8m for Bryan Mbeumo from Troyes in 2019. Photo: Warren Little
. Norwich City - +£78m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£5.95m. Highest transfer fee paid: £8m for Alex Pritchard from Spurs in 2016. Photo: Nathan Stirk
. Swansea City - +£84m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£7.9m. Highest transfer fee paid: £18m for Andre Ayew from West Ham United in 2018. Photo: Stu Forster
. Bristol City - +£27.7m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£9.1m. Highest transfer fee paid: £8m for Tom Kalas from Chelsea in 2019. Photo: Justin Setterfield
. QPR- +£24.3m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£630k. Highest transfer fee paid: £2.7m for Idrissa Sylla from RSC Anderlecht in 2016. Photo: Marc Atkins
. Preston North End - +13.7m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£1.2m. Highest transfer fee paid: £1.9m for Tom Bayliss from Coventry City in 2019. Photo: Lewis Storey
. Barnsley - +£11.28m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£9.8m. Highest transfer fee paid: £1.25m for Herbie Kane from Liverpool in 2020. Photo: George Wood
. Luton Town - +£10m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: +£1.44m. Highest transfer fee paid: £1.3m for Simon Sluga from Rijeka in 2019. Photo: Marc Atkins
. Derby County - +£8m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£6.2m. Highest transfer fee paid: £8m for Matej Vydra from Watford in 2018. Photo: Tony Marshall
. Nottingham Forest - +£7.5m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£23.6m. Highest transfer fee paid: £13.2m for Joao Carvalho from x in x. Photo: Alex Davidson
1. Brentford - +£94m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: +£5.6m. Highest transfer fee paid: £5.8m for Bryan Mbeumo from Troyes in 2019. Photo: Warren Little
2. Norwich City - +£78m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£5.95m. Highest transfer fee paid: £8m for Alex Pritchard from Spurs in 2016. Photo: Nathan Stirk
3. Swansea City - +£84m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£7.9m. Highest transfer fee paid: £18m for Andre Ayew from West Ham United in 2018. Photo: Stu Forster
4. Bristol City - +£27.7m net spend last five seasons
Biggest season net spend: -£9.1m. Highest transfer fee paid: £8m for Tom Kalas from Chelsea in 2019. Photo: Justin Setterfield