Transfer update emerges on Middlesbrough’s pursuit of 31-y/o in potential blow for West Brom

Middlesbrough were unable to secure an agreement for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow because the Magpies are unwilling to sanction a move for him at this stage, according to the Northern Echo.

The 31-year-old spent much of the 2021/22 campaign behind Martin Dubravka in the pecking order as a bench option for Eddie Howe, making just eight league appearances and failing to play a single minute of competitive football for the Tyneside outfit since November.

This is despite the fact he was available for the vast majority of the campaign, leaving Darlow’s future at St James’ Park looking potentially bleak at this point.

He could be offered a potential escape route this summer though with Boro and West Bromwich Albion both reported to have been keen on luring him to the second tier.

The Teesside outfit are arguably the team needing to bring in a shot-stopper the most at this point with Joe Lumley making several mistakes last season – and Luke Daniels was unable to sustain his place in the starting lineup.

However, a deal for Darlow is currently not in the offing because Newcastle want to keep hold of their current second-choice keeper, leaving Chris Wilder’s side with no choice but to focus on other targets.

Although a move for Dean Henderson seems to be off, Manchester United teammate Tom Heaton is someone that could arrive at the Riverside Stadium between now and the end of the summer.

The Verdict:

This is an area Boro need to strengthen as a top priority so it’s heartening to see the number of shot-stoppers linked with the Teesside outfit in recent weeks – because Lumley and Daniels just aren’t going to be vital assets for a promotion-chasing team in the second tier.

Darlow would have been a solid option to bring in