Middlesbrough will most likely find themselves in the mix for promotion at the turn of the year making the January transfer window crucial.

With Middlesbrough's rivals surely planning to go big, Middlesbrough will have to to match this to stay in the hunt.

It's hard to pinpoint where Middlesbrough need improvement due to there solid backline, their industrious midfield and their wealth of attacking options.

But up front remains a problem for Middlesbrough, who lack an out-and-out goalscorer which could be crucial for the run in.

Rivals Hull have Abel Hernandez scoring for fun and Burnley have Andre Gray whilst rivals Derby County have Chris Martin all proven goalscorers at this level.

Middlesbrough have experienced David Nugent and Christian Stuani up front with Kike as a back up, Kike has been inconsistent and Nugent and Stuani will have a large workload if one of them gets injured.

This will make Karanka keen to add to his attacking options up front as well as adding a bit of creativity in midfield.

It's likely that Karanka will isolate the loan market rather than spending big though due to the clubs sizeable outlay during the summer - so here's FIVE strikers Boro could sign in January!

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE STRIKERS

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Patrick Bamford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chelsea striker was in scintillating form for Middlesbrough last season scoring an impressive 19 goals, and was crucial to Middlesbrough's promotion push.

He had a lot of suitors at the end of last season and attracted Premier League Crystal Palace to take a chance on him.

Sadly for Bamford he found himself down the pecking order due to Dwight Gayle's re-emergence as a leading striker.

A wealth of other attacking players has limited his first-team chances which has disappointed both Bamford and Chelsea.

When Chelsea get the option to recall him in January they most likely will, and Middlesbrough will be keen on his signature as part of a loan deal with Bamford surely being interested in finishing what he started last year.

Tom Bradshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw has been revelation for the Sky Bet League One side, and his nine goals in all competitions this season have made club’s higher up the Football League stand up and take note.

It is unlikely the Dean Smith's team will want to sell Bradshaw as they look to join the Championship themselves, but money talks and the right bid would no doubt see him leave the West Midlands-based club.

The 23-year-old is still relatively young and Aitor Karanka's team could tie him down ahead of his best years.

Dwight Gayle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crystal Palace frontman has enjoyed a bit of a re-emergence at Palace since the summer transfer window, and has forged his way back into the first team for now.

He was linked with a big money move to Bristol City in the summer but it fell through on the virtue that Gayle didn't want to move there, as it did not suit his ambition of playing at the top level.

Whilst Gayle is back in the first team, he is not back in the goals and is close to being benched. Palace will most likely seek a loan deal for him with a lot of Championship clubs set to be potential suitors, and Middlesbrough would certainly be interested in adding to their firepower.

James Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Manchester United youngster is a promising striker but as expected, found his first team experiences limited to the cup competitions.

Also with the emergence of Anthony Martial, it is unlikely he will be a regular starter anytime soon but Louis van Gaal is keen on developing him.

This will most likely mean a loan deal to a Premier League or top Championship club which is certainly a category Middlesbrough fall into.

Wilson will revel at the chance at first-team football and the chance to be part of something quite special come May.

Peter Crouch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally Middlesbrough may look to the beanpole English striker as an extra source of goals.

The experienced frontman has found first-team opportunities hard to come by, with the raft of attacking talent Stoke bought in the summer.

The England veteran may look to link up with fellow England old boy David Nugent and fire Middlesbrough to the Premier League.

Crouch is also a wise old head and most importantly a player who could certainly score goals at this level if Middlesbrough find themselves in a bit of a goal drought.

So what do you think Middlesbrough fans? Are any of these signings realistic and if not who do you think we need to sign if anyone at all? Leave thoughts and opinions below!