After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, Middlesbrough seems determined to make sure that they can take the next step in the upcoming campaign and have been busy trying to add quality to their first team this summer.
Tony Pulis, the current manager at the club, has a number of star players on his transfer wish-list, but one player they are now close to landing is Matt Phillips.
The Scottish international started his senior career with Wycombe Wanderers, spent time at Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers before he joined West Brom back in 2016. He started his youth career with England but has 12 appearances for the Scottish national side, standing as one of the most experienced players in his country.
A versatile player, who can play on either flank, Phillips is a hard-working footballer with decent technique. He is a specialist over a dead ball but is equally effective in the air, in front of goal. He loves to run himself into the ground and never gives up, making him a dream player for any manager.
At just 27, he already has 22 goals and 17 assists in 132 Championship games and has also registered 11 goals and 12 assists in 109 Premier League outings, making him an established star at the highest level.
He can provide crosses from wide areas and can dribble past opponents with ease. He is a threat on the counter but is more than capable of making an impact in build-up play. He claimed three goals and two assists in all competitions last season for the Baggies but showed enough consistency to retain his place in the side next season.
However, reports now suggest that Tony Pulis, who was the reason West Brom signed Phillips, is now interested in a reunion with the Scottish ace at Riverside next season. An exclusive report from Teamtalk claims that Pulis wants to add two wingers to his side this summer and sees the West Brom man as a necessity for his side. He is also interested in Albert Adomah and Alan Hutton but it is Phillips who is at the top of his wish list.
West Brom have dropped into the Championship and will not be too keen on strengthening one of their direct opponents but they need to release some players to raise funds for other additions and could see them accept a bid from Boro.
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The 27-year old will, either way, have to play in the Championship, so a change in environment and a reunion with Pulis might be enough for Boro to land him this summer.
