Middlesbrough have been one of the clubs to end a disappointing last season in the Premier League, facing relegation in what was their comeback season in top flight football. Now, they are gearing up for a good season in the Championship and make a comeback into top flight football in the next season.
In order to revamp their side for the next season, Middlesbrough are looking to bring in quite a few players who have been playing well for their respective sides in the last campaign. One player who has been right on the top of the wish list for the new Boro manager Garry Monk is the Swansea City centre-back Kyle Bartley.
The defender has been playing on loan from the Premier League club with the Championship club Leeds United for the last season under the coaching of Garry Monk. Incidentally, Monk decided to call it a day at the Elland Road club given the poor performance of the club right at the end of the season, which saw them slip in the race to make it to the Championship playoffs and end the season in the seventh position.
However, Bartley made a solid impression at the backline for the Whites in the last season and was considered as one of the best defenders in the Championship. He made his towering presence felt in the defence for Leeds United and impressed Garry Monk with his strong brand of football to keep his opponents away from the scoring goals often against his club.
Monk, who has now been appointed as the manager of the Middlesbrough side, is looking forward to continuing his good relationship with the centre back, making him his first major signing for Boro in the summer. Bartley has already returned to Swansea City following the last game of Leeds United against Wigan Athletic and is expected to be offered a permanent contract by the Whites in the next season. However, it might be a problem for the Elland Road club to make a breakthrough with no Monk on their side this time.
Middlesbrough might be in contention over the future of their inspirational captain cum defender Ben Gibson, who might be leaving for the Premier League in the forthcoming summer transfer window, leaving a big void in their defence, with Bartley fitting the bill perfectly for Boro to replace their captain.
However, Swansea City will be assessing Bartley’s performance before offering him a permanent deal at the club, with a place in the first team looking far from possible.
