Turkish side submit enquiry to Middlesbrough for Dan Barlaser amid transfer interest

Turkish side Trabzonspor are interested in signing Dan Barlaser from Middlesbrough, and have made an enquiry about potentially signing him this summer.

Talks are said to be ongoing with the Turkish Super Lig side about the midfielder, with Boro believed to be open to the transfer at the right price. Reports first emerged in Turkey from 61 Saat about their interest, with Trabzonspor chiefs keen to sign him after finishing third last season and qualifying for the Europa League as a result.

Barlaser has struggled to cement a regular place in Michael Carrick's starting line-up since moving to the Riverside from Rotherham United in January 2023. With Boro set to sign USA starlet Aiden Morris this summer, it pushes the 27-year-old further down the pecking order.

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As well as Morris's impending arrival, Boro also have Jonny Howson continuing for another season after he signed a new 12-month contract, while they remain strong in their stance on keeping star man Hayden Hackney. On top of that, Law McCabe will be pushing for more game-time next term after impressing in first-team training throughout last season before stepping up to make an impressive full debut on the final day of the season against Watford.

With that in mind, Boro are likely to listen to offers for Barlaser this summer - be that from Trabzonspor or elsewhere. Exactly what would be deemed an acceptable offer remains to be seen. They paid around £1 million to land him from Rotherham 18 months ago.

Though born in Gateshead, Barlaser's dad Sener is Turkish and the Boro midfielder still has a lot of family in Turkey. He represented them at youth level for the under-16s and 17s before switching allegiances to England for the under-18s, which was the last taste of international football he enjoyed.

Speaking to the Sun while still at Rotherham in 2022, he said: "I'd definitely consider it [playing for Turkey]. I’ve a lot of family living over there. They were always trying to get me to support various Turkish teams when growing up but I stayed neutral so I didn’t upset anyone!

“Turkey gave me a chance to show myself on the international stage as a kid. We went out to Germany, France and Italy – and I even learned to speak Turkish."