Opinion: Premier League forward could provide the solution to key Middlesbrough issue next season

Middlesbrough’s hopes of securing a place in the play-offs earlier this year were dashed by an inability to find the back of the net on a regular basis in the Championship during the closing stages of the season.

Boro embarked on a four-game run in April where they didn’t score a single goal at this level.

Having dropped 11 points in this particular period, Middlesbrough left themselves with a mountain to climb heading into their remaining fixtures.

Chris Wilder’s side eventually were forced to settle for a seventh-place finish in the league standings as they finished five points adrift of the play-off places.

In order to move forward as a club in the 2022/23 campaign, it could be argued that Boro ought to be making attacking signings their priority in the upcoming transfer window.

One of the individuals who has recently been linked with a move to the Riverside Stadium is Dwight Gayle.

According to the Daily Mail, the Newcastle United forward is currently in talks with Middlesbrough over a move to the club.

If this report turns out to be true, it could be argued that Boro ought to try and finalise an agreement as the forward does possess an excellent track-record at Championship level.

During this career to date, Gayle has scored 60 goals in the second-tier whilst he has also chipped in with 16 assists in 101 appearances.

Less effective in the top-flight, the 32-year-old has only managed to find the back of the net on 11 occasions for Newcastle at this level since joining the club in 2016.

By dropping down a division next season to lead the line at Middlesbrough, there is every chance that Gayle could provide a solution to the club’s lack of firepower as he will be extremely confident in his ability to deliver the goods