What's the situation with Sunderland's Charlie Wyke? What next for Famara Diedhiou? Middlesbrough transfer rumours assessed

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock is looking to bolster his squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign – with transfer gossip already starting to increase.

With several players nearing the end of their contracts and the window set to reopen in June, we assess some of the latest rumours which have been circling the web.

Famara Diedhiou

Boro have been tracking the forward since January and it was announced this week that Diedhiou had been released by Bristol City.

The 28-year-old was offered a contract extension at Ashton Gate earlier in the season but decided to consider his options elsewhere.

Boro will continue to monitor the situation, yet it’s thought Diedhiou’s wage demands could complicate matters.

It’s been reported the striker also has significant interest from abroad.

Charlie Wyke

The Sunderland forward has been in excellent form, scoring 30 goals in all competitions for the Black Cats.

Wyke, who was born on Teesside and came through Boro’s academy, will see his contract expire this summer and it’s unclear if he’ll negotiate new terms at the Stadium of Light.

Warnock recently said he planned to watch Sunderland in the play-offs, yet Wyke, 28, isn’t believed to be on Boro’s radar as they assess other targets.

Michael Smith

Another forward who has impressed this season.

The towering frontman was a handful when Rotherham won 3-0 against Boro in January and scored 10 Championship goals during the 2020/21 campaign.

Smith has a year left on his contract at the New York Stadium but may be ready to assess his options following Rotherham’s relegation to League One.

The 29-year-old isn’t thought to be Boro’s No 1 striker target but is a player Warnock liked the look of.

Junior Hoilett

A player Warnock knows well from their time together at Cardiff.

The 30-year-old spent five seasons with the Welsh club and helped the Bluebirds win promotion from the Championship under Warnock in 2018.

Hoilett was released by Cardiff earlier this month after falling down the pecking order and is now looking for a new club.

Warnock has been scouting the transfer market for new wide players and knows what Hoilett is capable of.

Back in January, the Boro boss brought another one of his former Cardiff players, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, to the Riverside on a free transfer.

Joe Lumley

The two priorities for Warnock this summer are to sign a first-choice striker and new No 1 goalkeeper.

With Marcus Bettinelli’s loan spell set to end and Jordan Archer’s contract set to expire, Boro could be looking for two new keepers this summer.

Lumley will be out of contract at QPR next month and, despite talks about a new deal, it’s recently been claimed that Boro are tracking the 26-year-old.

After starting Rangers’ first two games of the season, Lumley fell behind fellow stopper Seny Dieng at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and made just five league appearances for Mark Warburton’s side all season.

Despite his lack of game time, Warburton seems keen to keep Lumley, stating he had ‘enormous respect for him as a goalkeeper and as a person.”

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