McGree to stay or go? Middlesbrough FC must sort these 4 issues before August 30th | OneFootball

Boro must make some big decisions before the end of the summer transfer window.

Middlesbrough are looking to be among those teams competing for Premier League promotion next season.

After just missing out on the Championship play-off places by four points, Boro ended the 2023/24 season as one of the most in-form teams in the second tier.

Promising signs of player progression and clever recruitment are there to be seen wherever you look at the Riverside Stadium, with the majority of Boro fans feeling as optimistic as ever that head coach Michael Carrick is the man to end their top-flight exile.

But that will only be achieved should the football club get some key decisions right this summer. Football League World takes a look at four things that need to happen before the summer transfer window slams shut on 30 August.

Following the arrival of Luke Ayling on a two-year permanent contract, and with the long-awaited return from injury of Tommy Smith, Middlesbrough have two proven commodities at the right-back position.

This has meant that 27-year-old Anfernee Dijksteel has been pushed even further into the shadows of Carrick's first team squad, and with 12 months remaining on his contract, the time appears to be right for both parties to cut ties.

The Northern Echo have confirmed that the Suriname international is a player that Middlesbrough are hoping to sell this summer, as they look to cash in now, rather than keep him around only to lose him for nothing next summer.

Sell Matthew Hoppe

A striker who arrived with bags of promise and a growing reputation, Matthew Hoppe's time on Teesside has been fairly disastrous.

Signing on a four-year deal from Spanish side RCD Mallorca, USA international Hoppe arrived in the North East having slowly been building his reputation over previous seasons.

He'd thoroughly thrust his name into the limelight after bagging a Bundesliga hat-trick during his time with Schalke, and international recognition was soon to follow.

But since making the switch to English football, he's never looked at home, and after back-to-back underwhelming loans with Hibernian and San Jose Earthquakes respectively, the 23-year-old appears destined for pastures new this summer.

The Northern Echo report that a move back to his homeland is most likely this summer, but that would mean he still has some waiting around to do, as the MLS transfer window doesn't open until 18 July.

Sign another striker

Summer signing Emmanuel Latte Lath developed into a revelation for Middlesbrough last season, as he showed he can be the man to fill Chuba Akpom's scoring boots on Teesside.

His 16 goals in 30 Championship appearances almost fired Boro into the play-offs, and meant the club have already had to knock back a tentative £12m enquiry from an unnamed club this summer.

Despite evidently being Carrick's number one striker next season, the club are still reportedly in the market for another quality striking option, despite the recent arrival of versatile forward Delano Burgzorg.

This is likely because Latte Lath missed 16 Championship games in 2023/24, and should something similar to that happen again, Carrick will want a better backup option to take his place, rather than relying on players who are yet to fully prove themselves.

Make Riley McGree decision

With just 12 months remaining on his Middlesbrough contract, the time is approaching for Boro's Socceroos star to make a decision on his future, and it's approaching fast.

Speaking in a recent interview with 7News Adelaide, McGree spoke on his Boro future, saying: "Every season is important. I'm going out there as I would any season, (whether that) be with Middlesbrough again or elsewhere. I have to say I love the club and the people there."

Not exactly slamming the door on a potential Middlesbrough exit, McGree is clearly keeping all options on the table as he ensures the right decision is made.

So, without wanting to rush their star midfielder, Carrick and his team will want a definitive answer either way fairly soon, as a similar situation to that of the aforementioned Dijksteel could arise should the 25-year-old opt against penning a new contract.