Neil Warnock reveals where Middlesbrough are looking to strengthen and what he expects in the transfer market

The new Championship season will kick-off in less than six weeks’ time on September 12, with Middlesbrough’s squad set to return to training later this month.

Boro have already signed one new player following the arrival of defender Grant Hall last week, while Warnock is also keen to strengthen his attacking options.

Yet that may prove tricky with strikers Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher already at the club, players who impressed Warnock last season.

“The type of player that I want in the areas that I want, probably strikers, are the most difficult because you have to try and get better than what you’ve got,” said Warnock when asked about transfer targets.

“Looking around the people who are available and the price we can afford or on free transfers, there are not many better than the two we’ve got.

“We have to wait on certain things to try and get players whenever we can. We are trying to push it this week, if we can get another player over the line this week I’ll be pleased.

“It’s going to be hard work the next few weeks.”

The transfer window has moved this season due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and Warnock believes there will be further challenges this summer.

"I think it’s changing drastically,” replied Warnock when quizzed on the current market.

“I think clubs are more concerned with getting rid of players off the wage bill, and players they thought were valued at this six months ago are probably worthless now or free transfers

“There’s not a lot of money around but they are still demanding figures for better players, some of the ones that you want.

"I think there will be a lot of player exchanges this year, people coming off the wage bill to cut the big earners so it will be interesting.

“Even here we aren’t the highest payers in the league by any means now and we have to cut our cloth accordingly, that doesn’t bother me to try and get value for money.”

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