Kim Hellberg hints at Middlesbrough transfer U-turn | OneFootball

Kim Hellberg has suggested that Neto Borges could remain at the Riverside this summer

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has hinted that Neto Borges could remain at the club this season, after the Brazilian made his first appearance at the Riverside in nearly a year against Wrexham.

The 29-year-old spent the 2025/26 campaign out on loan at fellow Championship side Bristol City last season, moving late in the window after playing just 10 league minutes for the Teesiders.

At Ashton Gate, Borges made 38 second-tier appearances, 30 of which came from the off, and while the Robins decided to go a different direction at full-back this summer, it was expected that he'd still be on his way out of Middlesbrough permanently.

But after playing the entire game at centre-back against Wrexham in the EFL Cup on Friday night, the 29-year-old has seemingly impressed Hellberg enough to the point where he may have a future once more at the Riverside.

Kim Hellberg praises Neto Borges after Wrexham win

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This summer allowed Kim Hellberg the opportunity to see Borges in the flesh for the first time, given the 29-year-old was long out of the door when he arrived in the dugout in late November.

The Brazilian's defensive versatility is something that the Swedish boss values. He can challenge for the starting left-back role with Max Arfsten, or provide valuable centre-back cover, which he did against Wrexham due to Adilson Malanda's role in the midfield.

"I think Neto did brilliantly [against Wrexham]," Hellberg said, per the Northern Echo. "He's one of those people I really like working with — he gives everything and is a brilliant team-mate. He can play in different roles, and in every training session, he is there to do his best.

"He can run, he has a good left foot, and I think he also showed the quality he has in playing centre-back. It's not easy against that type of side in a back four.

"It was a little bit fluid, going to five at moments, but I think he did very well. I like working with him, and I am happy that he is here."

How Middlesbrough fans reacted to Neto Borges' performance against Wrexham

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Not only did Middlesbrough keep a clean sheet against a fellow Championship big-hitter on Friday with Borges in the side, the 29-year-old more than held his own in a squad many expect to be challenging right at the top of the second tier once more this season.

The Brazilian made seven defensive contributions, five clearances, was dribbled past just once and completed 92% of his passes, per Fotmob.

"Neto Borges tonight, btw, just slotted in like he’d never been away #boro," one Middlesbrough fan tweeted following the game on Friday night, and Boro fans were quick to give their opinions on his performance in the comments.

"Should never have sent him out on loan. Always been better than Edmundson. Keep him now he’s back," one fan said. "Would be keeping him. Absolute no-brainer even if he isn’t starting every week," another added.

In response to the Northern Echo's story being relayed online, another Boro supporter said, "

Do you know I’m not against this, despite my nervousness around him the other night. Top pro is Neto. Not surprised Hellberg likes him."

Evidently, Middlesbrough fans are on board with the idea of keeping Borges at the club this season.

Boro struggled with having quality depth options in crucial times last year, and while the majority of that was attributed to the top end of the field, it wouldn't hurt having someone like the 29-year-old in reserve both at left-back and centre-back.

Middlesbrough likely to still listen to Neto Borges offers, but Kim Hellberg happy to keep him at the Riverside

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Unfortunately for those optimistic Middlesbrough supporters who may hope that Borges is a nailed-on member of the squad now, the Brazilian's contract situation means that the door is still open for a departure.

The Northern Echo stated that the 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, so the ongoing summer window presents one of the final chances that Boro have to recoup some money via a sale.

There's every chance that, if kept around as a mere squad player this season, Borges would explore his options and look to sign elsewhere at the end of the campaign, so if Middlesbrough can bank a fee for him, it may be something that the higher-ups consider.

Nevertheless, if that interest doesn't surface, Kim Hellberg won't be too disappointed. The 29-year-old has clearly made a good first impression on the head coach and could be set for an important role in what promises to be an exciting season at the Riverside.