Positions Middlesbrough could look to strengthen this summer as they plan promotion challenge

Middlesbrough are planning to strengthen their squad this summer as they look to build on the foundations laid in a challenging 2023-24 campaign to challenge for promotion next term.

After signing 15 players in total over the course of last season, less quantity is needed this time around, with a focus on continuity and adding quality to fine-tune Michael Carrick's squad after a really positive end to the season. They lost only one game in their last 12 despite so many important players missing through injury, as the growth of their experiences over the year were highlighted.

While Boro won't be repeating last summer's feat of signing 12 players in the upcoming summer transfer window that opens on June 14, they do want to strengthen. We take a look at the positions they will be looking to strengthen this summer.

READ MORE: Seven big summer transfer decisions that could shape Middlesbrough's success next season

Right-back

With Anfernee Dijksteel likely to leave, Boro will add a new right-back this summer. That looks set to be Luke Ayling, who enjoyed a really successful loan spell at the Riverside in the second half of the season. Carrick revealed Boro would try to sign him permanently when his Leeds contract expires this summer, while Ayling himself said a deal was close.

That will leave Ayling competing with Tommy Smith at right-back next term which gives Boro very strong competition for that role in the defence. However, with both 32 there is little long-term focus there and few obvious signs of any academy graduates pushing their case in this area, if budget allows then a young prospect could also be sought this summer too.

Centre midfield

After securing a deal for Ayling, Boro's next priority will be bolstering their midfield options after deciding against pursuing a deal to sign Lewis O'Brien following his loan spell from Nottingham Forest. That decision is because the club are believed to be looking for a different kind of midfielder.

They have Hayden Hackney, Jonny Howson and Dan Barlaser as things stand, while Law McCabe showed his capabilities when making his first senior start on the final day of the season against Watford. What type of midfielder they do target remains to be seen, but reports in Sweden that Boro are 'interested' in Michael Baidoo are not accurate.

Forward

Another loanee leaving this summer is Sam Greenwood and while Boro have plenty of options, Alex Gilbert and Sammy Silvera remain raw talents who need to be managed carefully. As such, at least one new forward is expected to arrive at Boro this summer - with the likelihood being it is a player, like Azaz, who would be capable of playing at both ten and left forward - a role that effectively operates like a ten anyway in Carrick's preferred system.

Striker

Emmanuel Latte Lath ended up with 18 goals this season thanks to a run of 11 goals in 12 games at the end of the season. Boro also have Josh Coburn returning to fitness after a frustrating campaign thanks to injury and believe he can provide healthy competition next season as he continues his exciting development.

However, the club still feel they need another centre forward this summer and are weighing up their options and patiently assessing the market to see what will be viable for them. Tottenham youngster Will Lankshear has been linked after scouting from Boro, but, for now, they're yet to finalise who their main target will be.

Centre-back

Paddy McNair will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, but that still leaves Boro with four senior centre-backs in Rav van den Berg, Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan and Matt Clarke. Despite that, Boro are known to have been scouting centre-backs ahead of the summer.

Though 17-year-old James Wilson made his debut after signing his first pro contract against Watford it's likely too soon to expect him to step-up and offer backup to the first team as a youth prospect next season. Unless someone else leaves, a fifth senior option seems unlikely, but, similar to right-back, they might consider a young prospect who arrives with ambition to grow and challenge rather than with expectations to play regularly yet.