Middlesbrough FC: Luke Ayling sent warning as Aston Villa transfer deal eyed up - his "legs have gone" | OneFootball

Middlesbrough fan pundit Phil Auton has told Football League world that Kaine Kesler-Hayden should be a replacement for Luke Ayling this summer.

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…

Middlesbrough have been urged to "replace" Luke Ayling, if they're to bring in the 22-year-old defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden from Aston Villa this summer.

Kesler-Hayden has been on the books at Villa Park since graduating from their academy in 2021, but he's only made three Premier League appearances for Villa since then and has spent the last five years on loan at different clubs.

He seriously impressed on loan at Preston North End last season, winning their Supporters Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Season Awards, but it's expected that he will be allowed to leave Aston Villa this summer - and this has alerted Middlesbrough to his availability.

Coventry City were linked earlier in the summer, with the Sky Blues reportedly willing to pay at least an initial £5 million for the services of the 22-year-old - that fee would be a ballpark figure for what any club, Boro included, would have to pay.

Middlesbrough fan pundit urges club to replace Luke Ayling with Kesler-Hayden addition

FLW has asked Middlesbrough fan pundit Phil Auton whether Kesler-Hayden would be a good signing at the Riverside Stadium this summer, and his response was somewhat of a warning for the experienced Luke Ayling.

"I think if we're paying that kind of fee, I think it would be to replace Ayling and have him in the second string. He's 33 now and he was really impressive the first season when we had him on a six-month loan; up and down, great assists", Phil told Football League World.

"But last season he struggled for pace, getting outdone by younger wingers, and it was evident. Before he got injured, he was shifted to centre-back, but it was only for a couple of games because we were depleted at the back.

"He had surgery at the end of the season as well, so there could be some delays in getting him back to full fitness, and we've let Dijksteel go on a free, and he was right back, so that obviously shows you where we rated him.

"But I think if we were going to sign Kesler-Hayden it would be as a replacement, and I'd expect Ayling to be the back-up at this stage.

"The other issue we've got is that he's (estimated to be) on £30,000-a-week with a year left of his contract to run, and it's unlikely he'd get that deal elsewhere, so he might be difficult to offload.

"He's still good to have around the squad, but there was plenty of evidence last season that his legs have gone."

Luke Ayling has had long-standing knee problems - he may not have long left with Middlesbrough

Injuries have been an increasing part of Luke Ayling's career in recent seasons, with recurring knee issues that have affected his ability to play.

He was signed on loan by Middlesbrough for the second half of the 2023/24 season, and they made the transfer permanent that summer, but he was limited to just 26 appearances throughout the 2024/25 season.

If Kaine Kesler-Hayden is to arrive at Villa Park this summer, Ayling may find his Middlesbrough appearances even more restricted next season, with a younger, faster model to challenge him and his starting position under whoever becomes the next Boro manager.

After his very good season with PNE - from a personal standpoint and not through league position - Kesler-Hayden is ready to feature for a promotion-challenging Championship side from next season, and Boro look to be a perfect candidate to take him, but it'll mean playing time decreasing more-than likely for a model professional in the form of Ayling.