Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph is the subject of fresh transfer interest from his former club West Ham, according to The Sun on Sunday (08/12, page 61).

Randolph has excelled since joining the Teesside outfit in the summer of 2017, with the 32-year-old being named in the Championship team of the year last term, but it now appears his former club is showing an interest in his services.

The Republic of Ireland international made 42 appearances for West Ham during his two-year stint at the club prior to his Boro switch, and the Hammers are now lining up a January move to make Randolph the club's second-choice goalkeeper.

This comes as a result of Roberto's failure to impress since joining West Ham as Lukasz Fabianski's understudy over the summer, with the East London outfit now thought to be in the market for a new goalkeeper when the transfer window opens next month.

It is understood Middlesbrough could be forced into selling Randolph in order to raise funds for January business, and West Ham have joined a number of Championship clubs in targeting the experienced stopper.

Randolph has made 112 appearances since his arrival at the Riverside Stadium more than two years ago, while he has again been the first-choice goalkeeper during Middlesbrough's disappointing Championship season so far.

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The Verdict

The fact West Ham are now lining up a move for one of their former goalkeepers is a grim reflection of their recruitment struggles of late, but they could definitely do a lot worse than Randolph given his quality and experience.

It would undoubtedly be a big loss for Jonathan Woodgate to lose an experienced player like Randolph from his side, but there will be little he can do if West Ham stump up the money to tempt Boro into a deal.

The last thing Middlesbrough will want is to lose some of their best players when they are already sitting 20th in the table, but it might be what the club is required to do in order to raise money for some purchases.