Middlesbrough ‘like’ £1m right-back as stance on Luke Ayling summer transfer exit emerges

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EFL Analysis understands that Middlesbrough could move on Luke Ayling in the 2025 summer transfer window.

Luke Ayling initially joined Middlesbrough on loan in the second half of 2023/24 from Leeds United.

After a brief but prolific loan stint, Boro snapped up the defender on a free transfer last summer.

He assisted eight in 2023/24 for the Teessiders, but the now 33-year-old’s contributions have tailed off in the last 12 months, assisting two and scoring zero in the Championship this past term.

Now, we have gained an insight into Boro’s stance on Ayling and a potential right-back target.

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Luke Ayling could leave Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough announced their retained list last week, which confirmed that Anfernee Dijksteel is set to depart at the end of his contract, leaving Ayling as the only senior, natural right-back at the club.

EFL Analysis has now gained an insight into the club’s right-back situation, as per Graeme Bailey.

Bailey told us Middlesbrough would try to move Ayling on if they could, while he mentioned how Boro like and looked at Bali Mumba in January.

He said when asked if Ayling will still be at the Riverside Stadium come the start of 2025/26: “I don’t think that’s a guarantee to be honest. From what I understand, I think Middlesbrough would try and move Luke Ayling on if they could. But obviously, with Dijksteel leaving, a new right-back is a massive need for them, it really is.

“I know one player who Middlesbrough do like is Bali Mumba. They had a look at him in January as well when they did the Morgan Whittaker deal. A former Sunderland player, but a very good player. I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring him in. I know they still like him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he emerges as a target once again.”

Bali Mumba stats for Plymouth Argyle

Mumba began his career on the books of Sunderland before eventually signing for Plymouth Argyle permanently in the summer of 2023 for a fee reported to be around £1m.

Currently valued at €2.50m (around £2.1m) by Transfermarkt, the defender is under contract with the Greens until 2027.

He has played a total of 140 matches for Plymouth across all competitions, in which he’s scored nine and assisted 13.

Mumba is a natural right-back but spent a lot of the most recent campaign operating on the left-hand side of defence.