Middlesbrough's transfer challenges compared to West Brom, Sheffield United and Fulham

Neil Warnock says agents will have to lower their expectations this summer as clubs continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The Middlesbrough boss is looking to make some early signings when the transfer window reopens but has previously said he isn’t prepared to spend ‘stupid money’ on players.

Warnock has held conversations with agents and players’ representatives as the Teessiders look to put agreements in place.

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And while admitting the three clubs coming down from the Premier League, Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham, will have a financial advantage, Warnock hopes Boro can compete with the rest of the Championship.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.

“I think in football as a whole, players and agents are going to have to lower their expectations,” said the Boro boss.

"The pandemic has really been a blow financially, and I just don’t think the levels we’ve been talking about in the past are there any longer. Over the next few weeks, I think they might be in for one or two shocks.

“It’s a competitive market. Obviously, the teams that come down will have the parachute payments, and we know that money won’t really be an object for them. If they want a player, they’ll get them.

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“We’ve just got to make sure that we’re in the market with the vast majority of the other clubs in the Championship, and hope we can do what we want to do.”

Warnock is looking forward to fans returning to the Riverside next season and believes he has a strong core of players who he can build around.

"It’s a wonderful club, Middlesbrough, with great facilities, and having the fans back is an exciting prospect,” Warnock added. “We’ve got a very good nucleus of a squad, we just need to add the right ones to that.

“I don’t think it’s really a difficult job to persuade people to come to Middlesbrough, unless you’re born in London and you maybe want to stay down there because I’m not sure Middlesbrough’s got the same nightlife for some of these lads!”

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Boro are set to announce decisions on the players who are out of contract at the club in the coming days.

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