Neil Warnock in talks with players' agents as Middlesbrough boss hopes for early transfer breakthrough

The Middlesbrough boss recently admitted he’d like to sign around eight or nine new players this summer to bolster his squad and challenge for promotion from the Championship.

Warnock’s main priority is to strengthen his attacking options following the departures of Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher.

Boro have been assessing targets both in England and abroad in recent months, while Warnock is in regular contact with chief executive Neil Bausor and chairman Steve Gibson.

“We’re optimistic that we’re going down the right lines to bring the right lads in. We’re going for players that we feel will help us next season,” said Warnock.

“It’s been busy. We’ve looked at quite a lot of lads now, and I’ve obviously spoken to one or two agents who have been talking about their own clients.

“That’s what we’ll carry on doing. Neil Bausor and myself will carry on working on that, and we speak to Steve quite a lot to keep him informed of what’s going on.

"I’m optimistic that we can get two or three agreed reasonably quickly, then the rest will take care of themselves after that.”

Warnock hopes he can get a couple of deals agreed before taking a break from what has been a relentless season, which has been played out over a shorter period of time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"If I’m honest, I’m looking forward to a rest this year,” added the Boro boss.

"It’s not so much a holiday because you’re always on the end of a phone, but we’ve had two seasons in the space of ten months really, and I think even for a young manager, it would have been hard work.

"You do need to recharge your batteries, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing. I might have to turn my phone off the odd day here and there.”

Boro will once again head to Cornwall for a week-long training camp this summer, with the Teessiders set to play local side Saltash on Monday July 19 (provisional kick-off 7pm) in the first of three friendly matches.

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