Middlesbrough should beat Rangers to striker with blistering pace | OneFootball

The forward has been linked with a host of clubs this summer.

After coming so close to promotion last term, Middlesbrough will be desperate to go one step further next season and finally return to the Premier League.

It was a mixed campaign, with Rob Edwards leaving early in the season having started strongly before Kim Hellberg steered the club to a play-off finish.

In the play-off final against Hull City, Boro's weaknesses showed as they failed to trouble Ivan Pandur, with a lack of pace and cutting edge in attack evident.

However, the Teessiders can amend that flaw this summer by upping their efforts to sign a player who has been garnering attention north of the border with Rangers.

Middlesbrough beat Rangers in transfer race for Stockport County's Adama Sidibeh

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We all know that pace causes problems, and if Middlesbrough are going to go one step further next season, then it could be the key ingredient that separates them from the pack.

Acquiring a player with speed is another matter, but in League One there is a man attracting significant attention who showed his ability at Wembley Stadium last term.

Adama Sidibeh only joined Stockport County from St Johnstone in January but played a significant part in their promotion push, notching six goals and one assist in 19 appearances.

As Dave Challinor's men advanced to the play-offs, the forward led the line in every game and netted the equaliser against Bolton Wanderers in the final before Stockport fell to a heavy defeat.

His performances have caught the eye of Scottish giants Rangers as well as Boro, Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City, according to Alan Nixon, and the Scots would have been familiar with the player from his time north of the border.

A powerful and direct forward, Sidibeh's pace, relentless pressing and running in behind caused all kinds of problems in the third tier, and his skill set is something Hellberg's side is lacking.

Sidibeh could complete lethal Boro attack

With Hayden Hackney sold for significant money and Middlesbrough set to land a staggered windfall from Morgan Rogers' expected move to Chelsea, the Teesiders should be armed with considerable funds.

Of course, the focus should be on replacing the Championship Player of the Season, but if the club can inject more pace into their side, then that would transform their attack.

Hellberg already possesses Tommy Conway, a man with a consistent goalscoring record, intelligent movement and pressing ability, who could complement Sidibeh.

Conway was absent in the play-off final defeat to Hull, and it showed as David Strelec, who huffed and puffed as a lone striker, was largely ineffective.

With Jeremy Sarmiento and Morgan Whittaker as encouraging options on the flanks, the addition of Sidibeh would add a different dimension, and even if he were not a regular starter, he would be just the sort of player to make an impact from the bench.

The Gambia international has two years remaining on his contract, should be available for a relatively low cost and could be the final piece in Boro's arsenal.