Likely winner named in transfer race for Middlesbrough and Sunderland target as ‘advanced talks’ held

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Middlesbrough and Sunderland were linked with the same player recently, and his new club has now been decided.

It’s been a slow start to the 2025 summer transfer window for Boro, with no first-team signings confirmed yet.

The Championship season is now less than a month away, and potential incomings at the Riverside Stadium don’t appear to be close.

EFL Analysis revealed earlier this week that Middlesbrough do like Pavel Sulc but are not confident about that deal.

It’s a similar story with David Strelec, who could join Celtic this summer after being watched by the Teessiders.

Now, the future of another player linked to the club has been decided this week.

Middlesbrough and Sunderland-linked Ishe Samuels-Smith’s next club

Reports earlier this month claimed that Middlesbrough were interested in Ishe Samuels-Smith of Chelsea.

At the time, Stoke City, Sunderland and Rangers, as well as Rob Edwards’ side, were also linked with the Blues youngster.

It was suggested that the quartet of clubs were looking to secure Samuels-Smith’s services on loan this summer.

However, journalist Pete O’Rourke has now reported on X/Twitter that the player is in advanced talks to join a European club permanently.

He wrote: “Chelsea defender Ishé Samuels-Smith is in advanced talks over a move to Strasbourg in a permanent deal worth around £5.1m.”

Middlesbrough transfer news

Middlesbrough have looked at Rhian Brewster after his Sheffield United contract expired at the end of June.

However, Brewster is not thought to be top of Boro’s list, nor any other club for that matter.

Elsewhere, Everton have joined the race for Hayden Hackney, who as we already reported, is changing agents ahead of a likely summer move.