Middlesbrough are ‘interested’ as £9m striker’s father opens up on Boro transfer plan

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It will take more than a few new faces to make Middlesbrough fans forget the trauma of that 4-0 Carabao Cup humbling at the hands of Doncaster Rovers.

Yet, with Sverre Nypan seemingly on his way to the Riverside from Manchester City and talks continuing regarding a prolific centre-forward, happier times may yet lie just around the corner.

EFL Analysis can confirm that Middlesbrough have good relations with Pep Guardiola’s Premier League giants. This should make discussions regarding Norwegian sensation Nypan slightly more straightforward, with City planning to send the £12.5 million signing out on loan to gain some experience in the English game.

Rob Edwards and co appear only too happy to oblige.

Our chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey can also confirm that Boro have submitted a bid for Metz forward Cheikh Sabaly. The Senegal striker scored 15 times as FC Metz secured promotion back to France’s top flight last season.

Now, EFL Analysis reported a fortnight ago that Middlesbrough wanted two new centre-forwards before the close of the window. With discussions over Sabaly moving forward and Slovan Bratislava talisman David Strelec also very much in the conversation, Rob Edwards’ frontline could look a whole lot stronger by the time September arrives.

David Strelec’s father opens up on Middlesbrough interest

With 25 goals plus a further eight assists in 2024/25, Strelec and Sabaly would arrive in the North East having scored 40 times between them across the previous campaign.

Middlesbrough recently held fresh discussions regarding Strelec, who was also linked at the beginning of the year.

And despite a flying start to the new season – four goals in five games already – the Slovakian alone was not enough to keep Slovan Bratislava’s Champions League dream alive in midweek. They suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in the second qualifying round.

In the aftermath, Strelec’s father indicated that discussions over his son’s future could now go into overdrive, even if Slovan still have a Europa League berth in their sights.

“While Slovan was in the game for promotion to the Champions League, the club’s management did not consider David’s transfer. Or rather, it was not on the agenda of the day,” Strelec Sr tells Sport 24.

“I assume that in the coming days until August 31, when the transfer window ends, the ice will move in this direction and things will get hotter around David.”

Strelec’s dad was also happy to confirm two potential destinations for a forward who has seven goals in 30 starts for the Slovakian national team. Middlesbrough potentially face a battle with the perennial Scottish champions Celtic.

“As far as I know, several clubs are mentioned, including Celtic and Middlesbrough, who were also interested in him in the recent past,” he adds. “I myself am curious how it will ultimately turn out.”

Slovakian pundits think Strelec is worth his £9 million price-tag

Sport 24 add that Middlesbrough have already seen one offer turned down by Slovan Bratislava, though it is not clear when that offer was made. The one-time Spezia attacker is reportedly valued in the region of £9 million.

The sale of Rav van den Berg to FC Cologne could free up the sort of funds required. Van den Berg left Middlesbrough for the Bundesliga in midweek.

Sontje Hansen is one new addition to Rob Edwards’ roster, joining in a £3.8 million deal from NEC Nijmegen. It is understood that, while the Ajax academy graduate brings plenty of flexibility to the Riverside, Middlesbrough see Hansen as a number ten rather than a potential solution to their striker issues.

Slovakian pundit Peter Duris believes David Strelec is worthy of a sizeable Middlesbrough investment, meanwhile, having found the net 39 times across the last two seasons combined.

“Strelec has made a price tag [for himself] of over 10 million euros,” Duris told Sport24 after watching the Boro target inspire a 6-2 aggregate victory over Zrinjski Mostar in July. “There are not many [number] nines at the moment, and I see him in one of the big clubs. I think he doesn’t have to worry at all that he won’t make it.

“He’s in the best shape of his life. He is also exceptional in that he is a left-footer and a goalscorer. He has been very well trained and I am very pleasantly surprised by him.

“If Slovan does not advance to the main stage of the Champions League, they can easily move him to a top club for more than 10 million.”