England move ‘most likely’ for Scottish starlet Josh Mulligan, five clubs keen but Middlesbrough are ‘desperate’

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With just ten games of the season remaining, a number of Championship clubs will be eyeing summer deals already ahead of the 2025/26 season. And there’s one move that looks likely to happen, as we can exclusively reveal.

It was a big weekend in the Championship yet again, with the landscape at the top and bottom of the division changing all the time, but especially for clubs targeting promotion to the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	CoventryCoventry	36	16	8	12	52	46	6	56
6	West BromWest Brom	36	13	16	7	46	32	14	55
7	Bristol CityBristol City	36	13	14	9	46	39	7	53
8	BlackburnBlackburn	36	15	7	14	41	37	4	52
9	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	36	14	8	14	55	47	8	50
10	NorwichNorwich	36	12	13	11	57	49	8	49
11	WatfordWatford	36	14	7	15	46	50	-4	49
12	MillwallMillwall	36	12	12	12	36	37	-1	48

Even if a play-off berth looks a tall order for a side such as Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick and co. have issues that they can look to address this summer. Right-back is a particular problem area that will be giving them a headache.

Tommy Smith has retired this season, while Luke Ayling is showing further signs of his age in 2024/25. That leaves the out-of-contract Anfernee Dijksteel as the best option at present, meaning they will require more depth and cover in the coming transfer window.

• READ MORE: Bristol City become dark horses for promotion this season as they look to end decades-long exile from top flight

Middlesbrough face competition as they eye Dundee’s Josh Mulligan

It has previously been claimed by the Daily Record that Hull City are “on the trail” of Josh Mulligan, while both West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers have also been “keeping tabs” on his progress.

Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, transfer expert and TBR Football’s Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, tells us Middlesbrough are joined by multiple clubs in the Championship in the race for Mulligan.

He said: “A host of Championship clubs are chasing Dundee FC’s highly-rated wing-back Josh Mulligan. The 22-year-old right-sider is out-of-contract at Dens Park this summer and Dundee look set to lose the Scottish U-21 international.

“Mulligan has attracted interest from France and Germany, but a move to England appears the most likely scenario at this point.

“Sources have confirmed to EFL Analysis that Middlesbrough, Watford, and Sunderland are all showing an interest in the youngster – who can operate anywhere on the right-side.

“It is also believed that Premier League side Ipswich Town and League One outfit Charlton Athletic also have an interest in Mulligan.

“Middlesbrough are desperate for right-back cover, with Dijksteel unlikely to stay.”

• READ MORE: Leeds United and Middlesbrough two of four Championship clubs chasing highly-rated teenager

The right-back problem for Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough

Mulligan is out-of-contract in the summer and could move cross-border for training compensation, even if Dundee still haven’t given up on trying to get their academy graduate to pen a new deal. They have tabled an extension but so far no new agreement has been reached.

All clubs are on the lookout for bargains, which includes players that are out of contract in the summer. Even though compensation will be paid, it would still be a low fee for ‘Boro to acquire the versatile Mulligan, who can operate as a right-back, wing-back, or in the centre of midfield.

Ayling’s deterioration and Dijksteel’s contract situation means that it is likely two right-back options are signed this summer, with Mulligan perhaps one of those, irrespective of promotion or another disappointing end to the season for Carrick’s side.