Middlesbrough are turning heads this summer with their eye opening transfer activity, and have already broken the £30 million mark as Garry Monk looks to guide his side to a Premier League return at the first time of asking.
Striking pair Britt Assombalonga and Martin Braithwaite have joined for a combined fee of almost £25 million, and Middlesbrough’s ability to pull in the big names is transforming them into firm title favourites.
Braithwaite in particular was a coup, with the Danish striker impressing in Ligue 1 with Toulouse for a number of years, and opting to swap the French top tier for England’s second is a notable achievement by Boro’s backroom staff.
Things could be set to get even better, with the club now being linked with a move for Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, who plies his trade in Italy’s Serie A with Udinese.
The Ghanaian international has been with the club since 2010, but with Monk keen to add a holding midfielder to his squad, Badu could swap the north of Italy for the north of England as Monk continues his Boro revolution.
The 26-year-old has been one of the most consistent holding players in Serie A in recent seasons, and bringing a 76 cap international to the Riverside would be a wonderful addition.
Badu is a strong, combative player, capable of commanding the game from the middle with his exceptional reading of the game and ability to break up play.
The player could act as a springboard from which to release Assombalonga and Braithwaite, and with Badu patrolling the gap between midfield and defence, Boro are unlikely to concede many goals next season.
If Monk pulls a deal off, this could be the club’s most impressive signing of the summer, and is a step further into achieving the promotion the club so desperately seeks.
What effect would signing Agyemang-Badu have on your side next season, Boro fans?