Opinion: Why Middlesbrough should not hijack Huddersfield Town’s transfer move for Ipswich Town player

Middlesbrough were one of several Championship sides interested in pursuing a move for Ipswich Town striker Tyreece Simpson this summer, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

The same outlet have reported that Huddersfield Town are now at the front of the queue to seal a move after agreeing a £500,000 fee for him – and he could be a much-needed attacking option following Lewis O’Brien and Harry Toffolo’s departures.

Replacing the goals and assists they will miss out on with their departures will be crucial and after seeing Simpson record 11 goals and three assists in 30 competitive appearances for Swindon Town last season, the Terriers will be hoping he can be a formidable force in the final third once more.

Boro, on the other hand, shouldn’t be looking to have him at the top of their target list after recruiting Matthew Hoppe, with a starter clearly needed now in their quest to push for promotion.

Josh Coburn’s injury is likely to rule him out of action beyond the end of the summer window so there’s little chance of him going out on loan – and new signings Hoppe and Marcus Forss are still in the early stages of their career.

Adding another young, development option as well as a starting forward may crowd that position and potentially stall the latter duo’s development at the Riverside, so that’s one big reason why they shouldn’t be looking to make a late move for Simpson.

Duncan Watmore, meanwhile, probably won’t be expected to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for a promotion-chasing side despite his qualities and similar may apply to Chuba Akpom who was reportedly told to find a new club not so long ago, before he was reintegrated into the first-team squad.

Rodrigo Muniz is similar to the likes of Hoppe