Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney
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Middlesbrough have started the Championship season in remarkable fashion, sitting two points clear at the top of the table at the beginning of November.
Almost a year into his reign at the Riverside Stadium, Kim Hellberg's managerial stock is continuing to rise further, and so is the belief that the Reds could be ending their decade-long exile from the Premier League at the end of the campaign.
The Swede's high-pressing style continues to get the best out of those who were already at the Riverside Stadium prior to a remarkable summer transfer window.
Whilst the majority of everything good that Middlesbrough have done this season has run through Will Lankshear, last season saw another 'Young Lion' make plenty of headlines in the form of Hayden Hackney.
Hackney's progression from the Teesside outfit's academy ranks to becoming the Championship's Player of the Season in just four years was well-documented, subsequently allowing Middlesbrough to progress both on the field and off.
It's fair to say Hellberg has adapted well to the loss of the 24-year-old, although a similar dilemma may arise again with Aidan Morris.
Aidan Morris has become an integral part of Middlesbrough's midfield over time
Aidan Morris and Kim Hellberg
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The 2026/27 season is Morris' third with Middlesbrough, having been recruited at the beginning of Michael Carrick's final season in charge for $4m from MLS side Columbus Crew.
During a disappointing campaign overall for Boro, the American made a steady start to life in the Championship with 35 appearances - 33 of which were starts - contributing two assists whilst also posting solid underlying metrics which underpinned his influence as an all-action midfielder.
His performances then went up another level last term despite the Reds' eventual agony in the promotion race and then the play-offs, and whilst Hackney's initial £16.5m sale was viewed as a blow, although an expected one at that, Morris' influence has only grown stronger.
Playing every minute of the league season thus far, the 24-year-old has scored twice whilst averaging 95.3 touches, one key pass and 6.5 recoveries per match, with former EFL icon, Kevin Phillips, labelling him as one of the three best midfielders in the second tier as a result.
Aidan Morris' remarkable form has led to sudden transfer speculation
Aidan Morris scores for Middlesbrough vs Bolton Wanderers
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Morris' current role in Hellberg's system isn't just allowing the 14-time USMNT international to flourish individually, but it allows for his attack-minded teammates to create chances at will - ones which are also being put away compared to last term.
As such, it perhaps came as little surprise to some in the North East when transfer speculation involving the midfield ace came to a head in late October.
After Morris' starring performance in the 5-1 rout against Bolton Wanderers, Tom Bogert revealed that clubs abroad have begun to stand up and take notice of his consistency.
However, the key takeaway from a Middlesbrough perspective is that Morris hopes to lead the club back to the top-flight, which is very much a possibility at this moment in time.
Aidan Morris sums up how impressive Middlesbrough's recent transfer strategy has been
Middlesbrough fans outside The Riverside Stadium
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Middlesbrough chairman, Steve Gibson, has developed a tendency to back his managers to the hill, and that has certainly been the case in terms of transfer plans.
However, the addition of Morris two years ago was the start of what has proven to be a key facet of the club's recruitment strategy, with a handful of subsequent Stateside signings having a profound impact on Boro's promotion hopes.
Adilson Malanda has provided a goal threat whilst demonstrating his ability to become a high-level modern-day centre-back, whilst Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten have also made strong first impressions since their summer arrivals from Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew respectively.
Middlesbrough could face future Aidan Morris transfer dilemma after Hayden Hackney sale
Aidan Morris scores for Middlesbrough vs Burnley
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Middlesbrough could receive £24m in all for Hackney should certain requirements be met during his Everton spell, which will certainly come in useful.
The club also netted a further £20.3m this summer through a sell-on clause relating to Morgan Rogers' £117m move from Aston Villa to Chelsea, and Morris could be one of the next in line to land Boro a major windfall.
He is under contract until June 2028 at present, and his dream of leading the club back to the Premier League would almost certainly have a positive knock-on effect on his market value if it came to fruition.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the relevant parties, and although the club have successfully adapted to losing Hackney, such a dilemma may have to be considered sooner rather than later.