Breaking: Middlesbrough closing in on loan deal for £4 million defender with obligation-to-buy

Middlesbrough are keen to bolster their squad this summer and are weighing up a move for former player Ryan Giles, who is currently on loan at promotion rivals Hull City, according to reports.

Giles moved at the Riverside Stadium in the summer of 2022 and left an indelible effect on the Boro fans, especially after Michael Carrick took over early in the 2022/23 season. After 48 appearances in all categories for Teesside, the fullback joined newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town permanently last summer.

However, after failing to get much game time in the English top division, the Hatters loaned the 24-year-old out to Hull City in January, who were pushing for promotion. The loan agreement featured a £4 million obligation-to-buy clause, as the Tigers spent money during the winter transfer window in an attempt to finish in the play-offs.

Liam Rosenior’s Yorkshire side finished seventh, three points behind Norwich City in the last play-off berth. As a result, the head coach was removed of his duties, leaving Giles’ future at the MKM Stadium unknown.

Teesside Live are reporting that Giles is keen to return to Middlesbrough this summer, where he played arguably the best football of his career. Nevertheless, the outlet are claiming that Boro will not look to pay £4 million for his signature and, instead, are hoping to secure a loan deal for the former Coventry City star. It has been said that Boro may see Hull’s potential financial fair play problems as an opportunity to capitalise in the transfer market.

Writer’s View

Lukas Engel has been Carrick’s regular left-back at Middlesbrough this season, but re-signing Giles, even on a one-year loan, would provide the Danish defender some much-needed competition on that side while also providing cover in this position.

Giles is a player that Carrick and many of the players at the Riverside Stadium are familiar with, but the last 12 months have not gone as planned for him, so a return to Boro may help him regain his form.