Middlesbrough should target Miguel Angel Brau as Boro look to reinforce their defensive options ahead of next season.
Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough fell at the final hurdle last season and are likely to be without several players who took to the pitch in their 1-0 defeat to Hull City. Hayden Hackney has completed a £25m move to Everton, whilst Dael Fry has joined Birmingham City.
Another player who Boro are set to be without next season is Matt Targett. After a successfull loan spell at The Riverside they would have loved to bring him back on a permanent basis, but interest from West Ham United and Norwich City following the conclusion of his Newcastle United contract could make a deal difficult.
With that in mind, Middlesbrough will be looking for possible alternatives for Targett and one player who could be a capable replacement for the 30-year-old is Coventry City’s Miguel Angel Brau.
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Why Middlesbrough should bring Miguel Angel Brau to The Riverside
Despite arriving at the club last summer, the Spanish full-back’s future at the CBS Arena will be in doubt after being used sparingly throughout the Sky Blues’ promotion campaign. Brau made only nine Championship appearances with only one start.
The 24-year-old made the switch to the Midlands after a successful season in the Spanish second-tier with Granada, where he established himself as a promising attacking left-back.
Miguel Angel Brau’s stats for Granada in the 2024/25 season
Appearances 28
Goals 2
Chances Created 18
Standing at 6ft tall, Brau is comfortable in the air as well as technically. Despite Frank Lampard opting for Jay Dasilva on the left side of Coventry City’s defence, Brau could be a useful addition to Kim Hellberg’s resources.
The Swede wants his full-backs to get forward and he would fit into the starting XI whether they operate with full-backs or wing-backs.
Middlesbrough should keep an eye out for Brau’s availability this summer
Having made just nine appearances in the Championship, it’s unlikely that Brau will be seeing much action in the Premier League.
Brau agreed to a four-year deal upon joining the Sky Blues last summer meaning Coventry City are in a position where they could loan out the 24-year-old to increase his potential transfer value, or immediately make a return on a player they signed for free 12 months ago.
Finley Munroe would be Brau’s sole competition for minutes, as it stands. He made the move to Teesside after an impressive spell at Swindon Town during the first-half of last season and was Targett’s Boro backup.
Having the two battle it out for the starting spot at left-back could be an appealing option for Hellberg, with both set to have a point to prove in the 2026/27 season.