Despite a handful of impressive additions – from Sverre Nypan to Adilson Malanda, Callum Brittain to Alfie Jones – Rob Edwards insists that Middlesbrough are ‘still working hard’ to complete a few more additions before transfer deadline day.
While former Hull City centre-back Jones scored his first Boro goal in the 3-0 thrashing of Millwall, Eredivisie import Hansen has already produced a couple of eye-catching cameos while Callum Brittain appears to have nailed down the right-sided role in Edwards’ backline.
EFL Analysis can confirm that Middlesbrough fought off PSV Eindhoven and Benfica – not to mention Championship rivals Norwich City – to the coveted signature of £6 million centre-back Adilson Malanda.
Big things are expected of Manchester City loanee Sverre Nypan too. Ditto Abdoulaye Kante.
Yet, Middlesbrough are not finished yet. Far from it.
Further attacking reinforcements are still required. Southampton’s Ben Brereton Diaz has been linked. Another to keep an eye on is Kaly Sene. Middlesbrough are eyeing the one-time Juventus starlet, now of Lausanne Sport, according to reports.
As for Cheikh Sabaly, FC Metz’s sporting director Frederic Arpinon finds himself in the unenviable position of having to explain why the Riverside-linked attacker was conspicuous by his absence during Friday’s 3-0 Ligue 1 drubbing by Lyon.
Middlesbrough badge outside of the Riverside Stadium - Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion - Sky Bet Championship
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Metz boss Frederic Arpinon speaks out as Middlesbrough target Cheikh Sabaly
Middlesbrough have seen what the Northern Echo describe as ‘strong bids’ turned down by Metz. As such, something of a Mexican stand-off has developed on either side of the Channel.
While Boro will not spend more than they think Cheikh Sabaly is worth, Metz are also refusing to accept any less than their £3.5 million asking price.
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L’Equipe claim that Sabaly did not train with the rest of the Metz squad last week as he looked to secure himself a move away. Thus, sparking a firm riposte from the man in charge.
“It’s not him [Sabaly] who’s in charge,” a bullish Arpinon told Le Republicain Lorrain. “He’s under contract. When he signed it, no one put a knife to his throat.
“Today, he’ll do what the club decides. If he wants to continue striking, fine. But he won’t leave until the club finds [the offer] is worth it.”
Middlesbrough target and Metz forward Cheikh Sabaly celebrates after England v Senegal - International Friendly
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Sabaly ends Ligue 1 strike as Rob Edwards calls for Riverside additions
In what could be a major blow to Middlesbrough’s hopes, L’Equipe claim that Sabaly has now returned to training with the tension between player and club thawing.
This does not mean the 26-year-old Senegal international will not end the summer in England’s North East, but any hopes Boro had of him forcing through a move look set to go unrequited.
“We’re still working hard,” Edwards said before a 2-1 win at Norwich on Saturday took Middlesbrough up to second in the Championship table. “There’s a couple more areas where we still need to add a little bit more depth.
“Like I keep saying, I’m delighted with what we have in the building. The lads are giving us everything and working really hard, but clearly there’s just a couple of areas where we need to add in.
“We’re all working extremely hard on those areas, and to be fair, we’ve still got a little bit of time to make sure that we’re set and ready to go when the window closes.”
Middlesbrough held discussions with free-agent Danny Ings back in July. The one-time England international is now closing in on a move to Sheffield United instead.
Further discussions were held with David Strelec of Slovan Bratislava a fortnight ago, meanwhile.
Sabaly scored 15 goals and provided four assists as Metz secured promotion to France’s top-flight last season. He also netted the clinching strike when Senegal became the first African nation to win away at England at Nottingham.