Middlesbrough have to sign another striker in this transfer window as they prepare for the start of the new season.
Middlesbrough have delved into the transfer window to land Hull City attacker Kyle Joseph recently. However, Boro need more firepower at the top end of the pitch as they look to gain promotion to the Premier League under the guidance of head coach Kim Hellberg.
With that in mind, Plymouth Argyle forward Lorent Tolaj should be on their radar over the coming weeks and they should try and test the Pilgrims’ resolve with an offer. He has been linked with a switch to Preston North End but would be ideal at the Riverside Stadium.
Tolaj, 24, was prolific last term and fired 18 goals in all competitions, as well as laying on eight assists. His current club could face a serious battle to keep hold of him between now and the deadline after they missed out on the League One play-offs.
Middlesbrough will be weighing up various different targets at this moment in time and Tolaj should be high up on their shortlist. They were beaten by Hull City in the play-off final at Wembley in late May after Oli McBurnie’s dramatic winner.
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Middlesbrough should target Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj this summer
Middlesbrough’s downfall last season was their lack of a cutting edge up top. Tolaj has proved that he knows where the back of the net is in the third tier and needs to test himself in the Championship now with Boro.
If he joined, he would inject more quality into Hellberg’s attacking department. In addition, he would be useful competition for the likes of Joseph, Tommy Conway and David Strelec.
Tolaj is quick, strong and has an eye for goal so he ticks all the boxes. Plymouth Argyle snapped him up 12 months ago and he hasn’t looked back since.
Prior to his switch to Home Park, he scored 16 goals in 45 outings for Port Vale. He has also had spells in the past with Brighton and Hove Albion, Cambridge United, Salford City and Aldershot Town.
Lorent Tolaj stats last season in all competitions
Games Goals Assists
33 18 8
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The Verdict: Lorent Tolaj is worth a gamble by Middlesbrough ahead of new season
Middlesbrough won’t want to pay over the odds for a new number nine with teams knowing they are desperate for one. Tolaj is someone who they would have to pay for but would be worth a gamble, despite never playing at their level before.
Hellberg wants players who are energetic and willing to close down opponents, like Joseph. Tolaj is a similar mould and needs a platform to show what he can do in the Championship now.