Middlesbrough told Lyndon Dykes transfer would be 'grim start to the summer' | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential signing of out-of-contract Charlton Athletic striker Lyndon Dykes.

Middlesbrough are preparing for another season in the Championship after missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough spent much of the season in the automatic promotion places, but a run of just two wins from their last 10 games of the regular campaign saw Ipswich Town beat them to second place, with Kim Hellberg's men eventually finishing fifth.

Despite losing 2-1 to Southampton on aggregate in their play-off semi-final, Boro were handed a promotion lifeline when the Saints were expelled from the final due to the 'spygate' saga, but the Teesside outfit suffered further heartbreak as they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City at Wembley last Saturday.

As their summer rebuild begins, Boro announced this week that Darragh Lenihan, Alex Gilbert and Sam Silvera would be among those leaving the club at the end of their contracts this summer, and it seems work on identifying potential transfer targets is also underway.

According to TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough are one of a number of clubs interested in out-of-contract Charlton Athletic striker Lyndon Dykes, along with Burnley, Bristol City and Cardiff City, while Millwall and Leicester City are said to have made approaches to the Scotland international.

Dykes scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 appearances for the Addicks in the second half of last season after joining from Birmingham City in January on a short-term contract, and while he has been offered a new contract to remain at The Valley, it seems he could have plenty of other options on the table this summer.

Middlesbrough warned against Lyndon Dykes move amid Charlton Athletic transfer battle

When asked for his thoughts on the possible signing of Dykes, FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day admitted that he would not be happy to see the Scotland international make the move to the Riverside Stadium, claiming that the deal would represent an underwhelming start to the club's summer transfer business.

"I think this would be quite an awful signing, to be completely honest with you," Liam told FLW.

"I hope it's not true.

"He's not a great player, he's never been prolific, especially at this level.

"He doesn't really seem to fit Hellberg's system.

"I know you probably need some sort of tank up front in a way, but I don't think he's got the quality to offer what we'd need.

"I think Strelec would probably be a better hold-up player than him for us.

"Any team fighting for promotion probably shouldn't really be going for him, if we're being realistic.

"I hope it's not true, I very much doubt it is, but I wouldn't welcome him, I wouldn't want him here.

Lyndon Dykes deal would not address big Kim Hellberg, Middlesbrough issue

There is no doubt that Middlesbrough are in need of at least one new striker this summer after their wastefulness in front of goal cost them an automatic promotion place.

Dykes made a big impact at Charlton to help keep them in the Championship after his January arrival, and it seems his performances at The Valley have caught the eye of a host of clubs, but it is difficult not to feel that Boro should be setting their sights a little higher than the 30-year-old as they look to strengthen for another promotion push.

While Dykes would certainly offer more of a physical presence up front, he has never scored more than 12 goals in a season in the second tier, so he is unlikely to be the prolific finisher that Boro require, and Hellberg should turn his attention elsewhere.