Middlesbrough backed to seal '£15-20m' Brighton transfer on one 2027 condition - it's 'the only way' | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has revealed whether he would like to see the club pursue a permanent deal for Brighton loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry.

It has been an excellent start to the season for Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Middlesbrough suffered heartbreak last season as they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City at Wembley in the play-off final, but, after a summer of spending, they look well-placed to mount another promotion push this time around.

Middlesbrough make strong Championship start amid big Amario Cozier-Duberry impact

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After missing out on promotion, Middlesbrough spent big in the transfer market this summer, with Radek Vitek, Ashley Phillips, Max Arfsten, Rokas Pukstas, Kyle Joseph and Will Lankshear all joining for significant fees, while Sam Byram, Sebastian Berhalter, Connor Barron, Myles Peart-Harris and Amario Cozier-Duberry also arrived at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro have won four and drawn three of their first eight games, and heading into the first international break of the season, they sit third in the Championship table, level on points with second-placed West Ham United and just two points behind leaders Swansea City.

While many of Boro's summer signings have caught the eye in the opening weeks of the season, few have impressed more than winger Cozier-Duberry, who made a season-long loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion on deadline day.

Cozier-Duberry starred during a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in League One last season, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists in 41 games to help the Trotters to promotion via the play-offs, and Scottish side Rangers reportedly had a £7.5 million bid for the 21-year-old rejected by the Seagulls in the summer.

A number of Championship clubs were also said to be interested in a loan deal for Cozier-Duberry, but Boro won the race for his signature, and he has scored two goals and registered one assist in his first four appearances for the Teesside outfit, including netting in back-to-back home games against Norwich City and Millwall.

Middlesbrough verdict issued on potential permanent Amario Cozier-Duberry deal

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When asked if he would like to see the club sign Cozier-Duberry permanently next summer, FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day insisted that he would be keen for the winger to return to the Riverside Stadium on a full-time basis, but he admitted Kim Hellberg's men would likely have to be in the Premier League to secure a deal.

"I think the only way this is a realistic ambition is if Boro get promoted," Liam told FLW.

"I don't think he's got that long left on his contract, so I'd hope they may be willing to sell for £15-20 million because he's only done it in the Championship, not in the Premier League.

"This is one that I really hope we look at if we go up because I think you can clearly see he's got potential to be a Premier League player.

"I've never seen a winger so confident in taking on players and keeping the ball by his feet, other than Ben Doak, but even Doak had a bit of an issue with his final product, whereas Cozier-Duberry seems quite confident with his finishing and his ability to get crosses in.

"Obviously, his finishing against Birmingham was a bit suspect, but that's his only downfall that he's had so far.

Middlesbrough could face major Brighton stumbling block in Amario Cozier-Duberry pursuit

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Middlesbrough sold winger Morgan Whittaker to MLS side Colorado Rapids for a fee of just under £10 million this summer, but while he left big shoes to fill after finishing as the club's top scorer with 14 goals last season, Cozier-Duberry looks to be an upgrade so far.

Despite his goal return, Whittaker was often accused of a lack of effort by Boro supporters, but, in the early stages of his time at the Riverside Stadium, Cozier-Duberry has shown a greater willingness to track back and help the team defensively, while he arguably possesses more of an attacking threat than the man he has replaced.

Given the impact he has made, Boro fans will understandably be hoping the club can secure a permanent deal for Cozier-Duberry next summer, but he signed a new contract with Brighton until the summer of 2029 before departing for Teesside, suggesting the Seagulls believe that he may still have a future at the Amex Stadium.