Opinion: Middlesbrough would be taking a risk with transfer move for reported target

It feels like there can be no denying that Middlesbrough need to recruit some extra attacking firepower during the summer transfer window.

Despite their seventh place finish in the Championship this season, ‘Boro lacked a prolific goalscorer throughout the 2021/22 campaign, midfielder Matt Crooks finishing the season as their top scorer with ten league goals.

Had Chris Wilder’s side been able to call upon a more efficient marksman to lead the line, things may have been rather different, and the club could have secured themselves a top six finish that would have given them a shot at promotion.

Beyond that, with Folarin Balogun, Aaron Connolly and Andraz Sporar have all seen their loan deals at The Riverside Stadium at the end of the campaign, leaving the club short on attacking options as things stand.

As a result, it is perhaps no surprise that Middlesbrough already look to be starting their search for new attacking signings, with recent reports from The Daily Mail claiming that the club are keen on Sheffield Wednesday striker Lee Gregory.

Having scored 17 goals in 39 games for the Owls – who missed out on promotion to the Championship following a League One play-off semi final defeat to Sunderland – this season, it is perhaps no huge surprise that Gregory is starting to attract attention as the transfer window approaches.

But despite that, it is hard not to feel as though Middlesbrough would be taking something of a risk, if they moved to bring Gregory to the Riverside Stadium this season.

Although there can be no doubting that the striker has plenty of experience in the Championship, he has never really been the most prolific of goalscorers at that level.

In five season playing in English football’s second-tier for the