Middlesbrough could lose several key players in the summer transfer window, with Finn Azaz among those attracting interest.
EFL Analysis has previously shared that Hayden Hackney would leave Middlesbrough if Boro failed to make the Championship play-offs, which they did.
Meanwhile, Rav van den Berg has interest from Germany, and he could be on the way out after the club’s underwhelming 2024/25.
As for Finn Azaz, Crystal Palace scouted the Middlesbrough midfielder earlier this season when he was on international duty with Ireland.
The Sun is now reporting this week that Palace, along with Leeds United and Bournemouth, are in the race to sign the Boro ace.
With this in mind, we have taken a look at the biggest winners and losers should the player seal a move to Palace.
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Winners from Finn Azaz transfer to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Whether it be Crystal Palace or another side, any club that might manage to sign Azaz is getting a serious player.
He’s often unfairly criticised by some fans, and when he’s moved out wide, he’s less effective.
But when playing in his natural number 10 role, there are few better players in the Championship than Azaz.
He was one of just a few stars who reached double figures for both goals and assists in 2024/25 – scoring 12 and assisting 11.
Alex Gilbert
Should Azaz be sold, it would open the door for Alex Gilbert to stake a claim for regular first-team minutes.
Gilbert showed patches of quality early in 2024/25, but did not have a real chance to feature for any meaningful period.
He was loaned to Charlton Athletic in January, helping Nathan Jones’ side win promotion to the Championship, and could carry that form over into 2025/26 if given the chance on Teesside.
Finn Azaz
Perhaps the most obvious winner out of this situation would be Azaz himself.
Middlesbrough, after failing to make the play-offs in 2024/25, are expected to undergo a rebuilding period this summer, which means promotion is probably off the cards.
As for Palace, they have just won the FA Cup and are an established, stable Premier League side.
Losers from Finn Azaz transfer to Crystal Palace
Middlesbrough fans
There was much optimism going into 2024/25, even if predictions of a top-two finish were slightly over the top.
But after such a nightmarish campaign, Boro fans are facing more disappointment in the near future, with several of their best players likely to leave.
Azaz could be one while, as already mentioned, Hackney and Van den Berg could also depart.
Tommy Conway
One of Azaz’s biggest strengths this season has been his creativity, providing 11 assists in the Championship.
As a result, Tommy Conway, or any other number nine Boro sign in the summer, would no longer have the services of Azaz to call upon.
A replacement would likely be signed, but it’s hard to see them being as productive as the Irishman.
Michael Carrick
Gibson took a chance on Carrick when he appointed him as Middlesbrough manager in 2022.
The former player’s only experience in management came briefly at Manchester United, and when stepping down to the Championship, he was expected to prove his talent.
After nearly three years, however, Carrick’s ability has left much to be desired and losing such a key player in the summer would only hurt Boro’s chances of success in 2024/25.