Middlesbrough have slowly started to gain some pace in the transfer window as newly appointed manager Garry Monk has earmarked a number of players as a part of his squad rebuilding exercise. The former Leeds United manager has been appointed as the manager of the Riversiders recently and immediately has started to implement his plans for the upcoming season.
Monk has set his eyes on Norwich City midfielder Jonny Howson. The Teessiders reportedly have launched an offer for the 29-year-old. Having been relegated to the Championship last season, Monk has a tough task cut out and he wants to start the proceedings by bringing Howson to the Riverside Stadium.
It would be tough for them to entice players to the Championship as top players generally prefer to ply their trade in the top division. It was a smooth sailing for them before the start of the last season as Boro signed a number of new faces including Viktor Fischer, Martin de Roon and Espinosa.
Ideally, all the signings should be done before the pre-season so the player would be able to go through a transition period to make themselves comfortable in the new setup. The club have already got rid of Viktor Fischer who has moved to Mainz while Downing has been told to look for a new club.
Added to that, Antonio Barragan might be on his way out, so there would be enough room to induct some new players. After watching last season’s performance, Monk is very keen to bolster his attacking department and wants to bring Howson to repair the damage.
Howson happens to be a Leeds’ academy product who joined Carrow Road in 2012. The player still has two years left on his contract but might be interested in making a contribution in Middlesbrough’s promotion bid.
The Canaries have apparently made it known that they need in the region of £5m to part ways with the player. Leeds are set to face strict competition from Burnley as Sean Dyche is ready to make the player his first signing of this summer. Steven Defour was not up to the mark last season and Dyche shouldn’t have any problem meeting Norwich’s demand.
Howson has been offered a new contract but the player is ready for a new challenge outside of Carrow Road. The midfielder appeared in more than 200 matches for The Whites and it seems he is set for another journey in the Championship with Boro.
