What Hull City transfer means for Middlesbrough's hopes of re-signing Ryan Giles this summer

Middlesbrough's hopes of re-signing Ryan Giles this summer remain unchanged despite the announcement of his transfer and long-term deal at Hull City.

Giles's expected move to Hull City was confirmed on Thursday, with the former Boro loanee signing a three-year deal that includes an option for a further year. It is believed Hull are paying £4 million to Luton Town for the transfer which was understood to have been an obligation as part of the loan deal agreed in January.

As far as Boro's hopes for Giles this summer are concerned though, they remain unchanged, with the expectation always that Giles would initially sign for the Tigers. As was always the case, Boro will continue to monitor Giles's situation at the MKM Stadium and know the player has interest in returning to Boro if things don't work out at Hull.

READ MORE: What we know about Middlesbrough's transfer interest in Ryan Giles amid Hull City uncertainty

Why Boro believe there are legs in such a deal centres around numerous factors. Hull have a new manager this summer in Tim Walter and, at this stage, with Giles set to link up with Hull for the start of pre-season next week, there is uncertainty as to whether he will be part of their plans.

Under Liam Rosenior last season, he struggled to make as positive an impression as he would have liked and didn't start any of the final seven games of the season. Matty Jacob was preferred and he signed a new three-year deal at the club in March.

Of course, a new manager with new ideas brings fresh opportunities for Giles and therefore he will spend the weeks leading up to the new Championship season trying to impress Walter to cement his place in the Hull team. However, in the event that Walter decides Giles will not be an important player for him next season, that's when Boro's chances of re-signing the 24-year-old would become live.

Hull have already lost a high number of players from the end of the last season as five other loan players have left, four more players have been released while Ryan Allsop and Ozan Tufan have been sold. It leaves Hull in desperate need of reinforcements while needing to tread carefully as far as Championship profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) are concerned.

There is interest in a couple of their key players from Premier League clubs too, including one-time Boro target Jacob Greaves. Owner Acun Ilicali has admitted they are 'playing chess' this summer due to a high wage bill and money previously paid to clubs for transfers. He said they have to move on up to five or six players this summer to create space.

Having paid £4m for Giles, if he isn't to be a regular next term under Walter, then moving him on could have merit for the Tigers as they look to strengthen their squad. Whether a deal for Boro would prove viable, however, remains to be seen, with Boro unlikely to match what Hull have paid Luton for him, and actually preferring a loan deal.

As was always the case, Boro will continue to monitor the situation and all parties are aware of Boro's interest if such a quick exit becomes an attractive one for Hull. But, as was also always the case, this isn't seen as a priority deal for Boro. They have Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura competing for the left-back spot and will be happy to continue with both next season.

Their interest in Giles is merely a case of being made aware that a player who proved himself so effective in Michael Carrick's set up could be available and therefore is one they wouldn't pass up to strengthen their squad providing the finances of any such deal were right.