Middlesbrough plotting AFC Bournemouth transfer raid | OneFootball

Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers is has reportedly emerged on Middlesbrough's transfer radar.

Middlesbrough are reportedly lining up a loan move for Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers.

That's according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who claims that Travers has emerged on Middlesbrough's radar amid their current goalkeeping injury crisis.

Travers has been with Bournemouth since the summer of 2016, and he has kept 30 clean sheets in 104 games so far for the Cherries, but his game time has been limited in the Premier League in recent years.

After a spell out on loan at Stoke City last season, Travers was widely expected to be on the move again in the summer, but despite attracting interest from the likes of Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Luton Town, he remained at the Vitality Stadium.

Travers has made four appearances for Bournemouth this season, but he has spent much of the campaign as back-up to Kepa Arrizabalaga, although he did deputise for the Chelsea loanee in the 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Seny Dieng began the season as Middlesbrough's number one, but he lost his place between the sticks to Sol Brynn in December, and shortly after that, he suffered an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for at least a few more weeks.

Brynn was then forced off in the second half of the 3-3 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day with a dislocated shoulder, and head coach Michael Carrick revealed the 24-year-old is facing a lengthy absence.

"It’s not great with Sol," Carrick told The Northern Echo last month. "He’s going to be out for three months at least. He’s dislocated his shoulder. We thought it was a bad one at the time.

"It was innocuous the way it happened, something you’d do every day in training. It’s around three months – I’m not saying it’s three months to the day, but it’s around those lines that he’ll be out for."

That has meant that third-choice goalkeeper Tom Glover has started the last three games, but despite the fact the Australian has conceded just one goal during that time, Carrick is set to enter the market for reinforcements, with Travers seemingly in his sights.

Travers was a key part of the Bournemouth side that finished second in the Championship in the 2021-22 season, and with Boro currently sitting fifth in the table, he could potentially add another promotion to his record if he was to make the move to the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough must secure Mark Travers loan deal

After Dieng and Brynn sustained long-term injuries, bringing in a new goalkeeper should be a priority for Middlesbrough this month, and Travers would be an excellent addition.

Glover has performed well in recent weeks, but he was guilty of making the occasional mistake last season when deputising for Dieng, and it will be difficult for Carrick to rely on the 27-year-old during what is a crucial period of the campaign.

Travers has shown previously that he is an outstanding goalkeeper at Championship level, and he has never looked out of place when featuring in the Premier League for Bournemouth, while his previous promotion experience could be invaluable for Boro over the coming months.