Middlesbrough star on surprisingly low wage must be offered new contract to ward off transfer interest

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Middlesbrough need to start making plans for the 2025 summer transfer window, which could see some key names leave.

Crystal Palace have scouted Finn Azaz, though the high-scoring midfielder is expected to remain at the Riverside Stadium.

Hayden Hackney could leave Middlesbrough in the summer if the Teessiders fail to secure promotion.

That is looking increasingly likely to happen after Boro blew their lead against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday to remain seventh in the Championship table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	Bristol CityBristol City	44	17	16	11	57	49	8	67
6	CoventryCoventry	44	19	9	16	62	57	5	66
7	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	44	18	9	17	64	54	10	63
8	MillwallMillwall	44	17	12	15	45	46	-1	63
9	BlackburnBlackburn	44	18	8	18	50	46	4	62

Meanwhile, there is interest in another key Middlesbrough ace who has a surprisingly low wage.

• READ MORE: Five players Middlesbrough must sell if they ever want to win promotion to the Premier League

Middlesbrough need to hand Rav van den Berg fresh contract

Transfer interest in Rav van den Berg has been rife for some time now, with Fulham showing interest in the Dutchman last summer.

We learned last month that Bundesliga clubs, as well as several in the Premier League, could sign Van den Berg.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told us: “There is a lot of interest from the Premier League but I am told a move to the Bundesliga could be the most realistic proposition.”

The central defender, who won the Player of the Season award during his debut season, is a top prospect and could be a pivotal player for Middlesbrough in the coming years if they can keep hold of him.

However, it seems unlikely that the former PEC Zwolle starlet will want to stick around if Boro do not win promotion and on his current wage.

Capologly report that the 20-year-old is earning just £2,000-a-week on a deal that runs until 2027, making it clear Middlesbrough will need to offer him a new deal if they want him to stick around beyond the summer.

• READ MORE: Transfer talks planned as Middlesbrough fans and talkSPORT pundit agree on first summer signing

Most expensive Middlesbrough wages

Money is not the be all and end all for every player, but Van den Berg does deserve to be much higher on the list of Boro’s top earners.

Of the players wages listed by Capology, the versatile defender sits dead bottom of the list, earning £28,000-a-week less than Middlesbrough’s biggest earner (excluding loans), Luke Ayling.

Even third-choice goalkeeper Tom Glover (£5,000-a-week), and academy product Sonny Finch (£2,500-a-week) are reported to take home more.