"Desperate for" - Middlesbrough: Ryan Giles Hull City plea made ahead of deadline day | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit is hoping that his side strike a deal with Hull City to sign Ryan Giles before the deadline.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

A number of key players remain in the Middlesbrough squad for the 2024/25 campaign, but Michael Carrick's side could still bring in reinforcements ahead of the deadline.

Having seen multiple players depart in the last few summers, be that upon the expiry of their loan or from selling them, this summer has finally been one of continuity and stability for Middlesbrough.

The last two seasons saw the club start poorly in terms of accruing points early on in the campaign, but with less churn, there is obvious optimism about the club beginning the season with a faster and more positive start than previous years.

Despite ultimately falling short last term, in part due to an ever-growing injury list over the course of the season, there will remain hopes that they can make the cut in 2024/25 instead. However, what they do in the market has a part to play between now and August 30th.

What they have done in the loan market previously has been incredibly impressive, and that remains an area that Boro will look to exploit to give them a squad capable of attacking the very summit of the second tier table. Middlesbrough were excellent at making the most of the loan market two seasons ago, having signed the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Giles, and Cameron Archer.

There are a few more gaps to fill out in the playing squad during the final week of the window. Lukas Engel and Luke Ayling are arguably their strongest pair of full-backs. The former grew into last season, but is solid and not anything spectacular, whilst Ayling is a player very much in the twilight of his career.

Were they to target anything between now and the end of the window, it should and perhaps could be a more dynamic and athletic pair of younger full-backs, especially after having a player of Giles' quality in recent seasons within Carrick's system.

With August 30th looming, we asked FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Phil Spencer if he could identify one player that they should realistically sign, and a left-back with the attacking thrust and directness to overlap, whilst also possessing enough recovery speed, would be a huge differential down their left-hand side.

He offered his verdict and said: “The one player who I’m desperate for Middlesbrough to sign is Ryan Giles.

“Giles was so popular during his first spell with the club and was a perfect fit for Michael Carrick’s side as he offered a wide attacking threat from left back.

“Seeing him leave the club last season was a blow, but, of course, we couldn’t envy him a crack at the Premier League. 12 months on and it’s very exciting to think that he could be available to sign on a permanent deal. “I’m not sure what the future holds for him at Hull City – he now appears like he could be a part of their plans after all, but if there’s any hope of signing him, then I think that Middlesbrough should explore it.

“Left-back is an area that Boro should look to strengthen if at all possible and, given his history under Michael Carrick, it seems like a no-brainer of a signing if it can be pulled off.”

We then asked what his dream end to the transfer window would look like and why. He added: “As far as Middlesbrough are concerned, I think that a quiet end to the summer transfer window would be the dream.

“In my opinion, Middlesbrough have already completed some excellent summer business and now that Tommy Conway has joined from Bristol City, I don’t see any glaring holes that the club need to fill.

“Of course, if Ryan Giles became available, he’s a player I’d like us to sign, but that would be a bonus. The focus now must surely be on ensuring that our best players stick around for the season. “Emmanuel Latte Lath, Hayden Hackney, and Rav Van den Berg are all players who have been linked with a move away this summer, but thankfully things have gone a bit quiet on that front now.

“There’s been no suggestion that any of the trio will leave this summer and should that prove to be the case, I think a lot of fans will see the summer window as being a big success.”

Hull City's Ryan Giles stance amid Middlesbrough interest

Middlesbrough's pursuit of Giles has recently hit a snag after it was widely reported that the Tigers were open to selling the 24-year-old earlier this summer, despite him only officially becoming a Hull player in the summer.

Boro, who had the defender on loan in the 2022/23 season, were interested in acquiring his services, but Hull's owner Acun Ilicali has since told supporters that the player is going nowhere.

However ambitious he may be, Giles would be an excellent signing. There is less risk than most signings because fans and the manager alike at the Riverside Stadium have already seen what Giles can do for the team.

His energy and width holding capabilities would be useful with a more defensive-minded right-back, as Giles once claimed 12 assists in 48 appearances for Middlesbrough during the 2022/23 campaign to help secure a play-off berth.