Middlesbrough may be alerted to Crystal Palace transfer target revelation | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been handed a potential huge transfer update.

Middlesbrough have been handed a possible update concerning Rav van den Berg’s future, with Crystal Palace reportedly looking for a central defender who can operate as a right-back.

Rob Edwards will take charge of his first competitive match as Boro boss against Swansea City on August 9.

The Teessiders have added Abdoulaye Kante, Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain to their ranks so far this summer, but could be set to lose a key member of their current crop.

Middlesbrough given new Rav van den Berg alert involving Crystal Palace

Van den Berg wasn’t in Boro’s squad for their final pre-season friendly against Deportivo last weekend due to ongoing transfer negotiations, with all signs now pointing towards an exit for the Dutchman.

Crystal Palace have been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old this summer, as per The Sun, who signed for Middlesbrough in 2023.

Now, journalist Alan Nixon has provided an update on the Eagles’ stance on the defender.

Via X, Nixon states that Palace are looking for another centre-half who can ideally play at the right-back position too.

This perfectly fits Van den Berg’s profile, with the young defender operating in both those positions across his two seasons at the Riverside - particularly in his debut 23/24 campaign.

The Eagles will have to act quickly to secure the Dutchman’s services however, with Sky Sports revealing that German side Koln have made an approach for the defender.

Boro are reportedly weighing up this offer, after previously rejecting two proposals from Dutch outfit Feyenoord.

The Eredivisie club are now believed to be focusing on other targets after failing to reach an agreement with the Teessiders.

Van den Berg has a contract at the Riverside until 2027, which means that Middlesbrough hold all the cards in this scenario.

Brentford have also shown an interest in adding the 21-year-old to their ranks, according to Nixon, which would see him reunite with brother Sepp at the Gtech Community Stadium.

With the North East outfit currently weighing up whether to accept Koln’s offer, a sizeable bid from Palace could be exactly what they need to drive up Van den Berg’s price tag.

The riches that come with Premier League and European football would allow the Eagles to financially muscle out the Bundesliga outfit during negotiations and ultimately result in Middlesbrough taking home more money.

However, they must not risk the deal entirely.

If Boro stall for too long, hoping for the best offer possible, they could end up alienating Koln, and, with no guarantee of an offer from Palace, it’s imperative they avoid this happening.

Middlesbrough appear as though they could really do with a big-money sale this summer in order to unlock potential transfer targets of their own.

It seems inevitable that the 21-year-old will progress from the second-tier sooner rather than later, and Middlesbrough must make sure they find a perfect middle ground during negotiations for Van den Berg’s exit.