Five transfers Middlesbrough could look to get in the January transfer window

The January transfer window opens in a couple of weeks with it coming at a good time with Boro needing reinforcements quite desperately here are five that would be good editions for them:

1. Joe Worrall

A product of Nottingham Forest’s academy Joe Worrall has become a key player in recent years as he played a key part in the Forest team that got promoted in 2022 with him being captain in the play off final game as they beat Huddersfield. He captained Forest in their first season back in the Premier League as they were able to avoid relegation. In recent times Worral has slowly fallen out of favour with Steve Cooper as he has only made six appearances this season with it being reported that he has been told to train away from the first team.

Boro have been credited with an interest in him and it would make a lot of sense, a commanding and powerful centre back Worral is very much what Boro need and with key defender Darragh Lenihan out for the rest of the season and Paddy McNair’s contract coming to an end Boro will certainly be after a new centre back and they won’t find much better then 26-year-old Joe Worral.

2. Scott McKenna

Another Forest defender who has been told to train away from the first team Scotland International Scott McKenna would be a smart signing for Boro a similar player to Worral, McKenna was one of his centre back throughout the season with both being key to Forest’s promotion. McKenna came through Aberdeen’s academy and after going out on loan a few times he was picked up by Forest in 2020, he would play a key part in their promotion season but just like Worral has struggled for minutes since.

Boro are also reportedly interested in Mckenna with some reports saying that Boro are leading the race for a double swoop for both players, this would be a very good move for Boro as if they are able to get both they would both provide very strong competition for places with it being likely that they would be able to make their way into the starting 11 swiftly. If Boro were after McKenna they’d likely be able to get him in a cut price deal so it would be a smart piece of business.

3. Ali Al Hamadi

Ali Al Hamadi has been on fire this season with 10 goals and five assists in just 18 league appearances so far, the Iraq international has got a lot of interest from Championship and League One clubs and you can see why, he is playing at a level much higher then League Two so the jump to the Championship shouldn’t be too much of a problem for him.

At 21 years old Al Hamadi would be a smart signing for Boro as the rumoured price tag of 1.5 Million shouldn’t be a problem for them making it a risk that might be worth taking. Boro were credited with an interest in him back in the summer and it would make a lot of sense for them to reignite their interest given the form that he has been in, but they will have to move quick as their are a lot of teams said to be interested in him.

4. Devante Cole

Devante Cole has been in fine form this season scoring 12 goals in 19 appearances and with Boro needing a man to lead their line Cole could be their man, the Jamaican international will have just 6 months remaining on his contract in January it could be a smart move for Boro to go in for him. Cole has been at Barnsley since 2021, he struggled in the championship in what was a very poor side but has found success since they dropped down to League One scoring 15 in 22/23 and has improved again this year.

Boro should consider a move for Cole but may be put off by a few things, Cole is 28 and with Boro’s new recruitment process they might want to go in for someone a bit younger. Barnsley boss Neil Collins has also been quoted saying that they are only willing to sell for “A serious sum of money” this could put any move for him in January in jeopardy as they could just wait till the summer to get him for free.

5. Eiran Cashin

Eiran Cashin is a Derby youth academy player who broke through to the first team in the 21/22 season, he quickly became a key member of a Derby County team which struggled due to financial troubles. Cashin is in the final year of his contract and with the risk of losing him on a free Derby might be forced to sell.

Cashin would be a great pickup for Boro and with them being in desperate need for defensive reinforcements Cashin ticks a lot of their boxes with him only being 22-years-old. There are a lot of clubs interested in him a lot being Premier League clubs this being the major stumbling block for Boro, but the guarantee of first team football and starting games might be enough to lure him to the club.