Opinion: Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Hull City should consider a move for this goalscoring soon-to-be free agent

With the Championship season coming to a close this weekend, clubs will already be looking ahead to the summer.

All clubs in the division will be looking to strengthen their side for next campaign, whether they finish near the bottom of the table, or the top.

One area in particular that is vital to clubs succeeding in the second tier is goals – with any good Championship side needing a man through the middle that can comfortably hit double digits.

Fortunately for the clubs that do not have one, there is an option worth taking a punt on for free this summer.

That man is Michael Smith, the 30 year old Rotherham United striker who is out of contract come the end of June.

Many Championship clubs, whom shall be discussed, could do far worse than pick up the phone to Smith’s representatives in the coming weeks.

To put it simply, Michael Smith has had a phenomenal campaign in 2021/22.

The striker has 24 goals in all competitions to his name, including 18 in League One, and also registered six assists across the season.

When you factor in the hold up play he can also offer, and the intelligence he possesses, it should be a no-brainer for a host of Championship clubs to consider his talents.

Adding to that, when he has been in the second tier previously, he has managed to find the back of the net in struggling sides.

For example, in 2018/19 he scored eight goals and registered four assists in the second tier, and in 2020/21 he managed 10 goals and three assists.

Looking around the Championship, there are clearly clubs scattered throughout the table that are in need of goals.

Look at Middlesbrough, for example. If they do not achieve promotion through the play-offs and remain in the Championship next season, why not try to bring