Championship outfit Middlesbrough will look to recruit two new goalkeepers this summer as they look to build a team capable of winning promotion, according to the Northern Echo.

Although they had Joe Lumley and Luke Daniels at their disposal when the 2021/22 campaign ended, the goalkeeping area was one that looked set to be addressed during the summer window along with their forward department.

Both Lumley and Daniels failed to fully claim a starting spot between the sticks last term, with the former's errors arguably being costly to the Teesside outfit's promotion hopes as they missed out on the top six.

 

 

Over the weekend, it was confirmed that he had joined league rivals Reading for the 2022/23 campaign and with his contract expiring next summer, it looks as though he has already played his last game at the Riverside unless he can prove his worth at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

As per the Northern Echo's report, Daniels is also likely to move on this summer and with Sol Brynn poised to join Swindon Town on loan, this leaves Boro with plenty of work to do in this department going into the new campaign.

The same outlet believes Wilder's side will target not one, but two goalkeepers in the coming months, already holding talks with Watford's Ben Foster and being linked with many other shot-stoppers in recent weeks.

The Verdict:

This rebuild is probably needed because both of last season's options didn't do enough to be involved in the first team next season - and it was worth sending Lumley on a loan spell elsewhere even if they have to pay a decent portion of his wages.

This is something they can probably afford to do with Djed Spence likely to move on for a hefty eight-figure fee this summer - and it has helped to make room for another shot-stopper or two to come in already.

Daniel Iversen would be a good addition considering how reliable he was at Preston North End last term, establishing himself as one of the second-tier's better keepers and could be available for a reasonably cheap deal from Leicester City this summer.

Foster would also be a good option, though it's currently unclear whether he would be happy to remain behind someone like Iversen in the pecking order, with the 39-year-old potentially holding out for offers closer to home.

Ideally, they need two stoppers that will actively compete with each other for a starting spot, something that will help to push up performance levels. But they shouldn't be looking to spend too much on both with other areas to address too.