Middlesbrough were wise to avoid late West Ham transfer | OneFootball

Boro were linked with a move for George Earthy as the summer transfer window ticked down.

Middlesbrough were linked with a late move for West Ham United's George Earthy, but Boro made the right call avoiding a deal for the Hammers talent.

There's arguably no Championship side who conducted a stronger transfer window than Middlesbrough did this summer.

Hayden Hackney remains on Teesside despite the constant threat of a Premier League exit, whilst new arrivals such as Sverre Nypan, Matt Targett, Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones and Sontje Hansen are all already making an impact for Rob Edwards' team.

Thanks to their excellent additions and some wise tactical tweaks from Edwards and his coaching team, Boro remain the only second tier side with a perfect record of four wins from four at the September international break, and appear primed for their strongest promotion push since their 2017 relegation from the Premier League.

Middlesbrough were linked with late move for West Ham United's George Earthy

As such, upon the window slamming shut at 7pm on 1 September, Middlesbrough supporters were left delighted with the business their club had done, with every single area of the pitch being bolstered with at least one new recruit.

However, there was potentially one more piece of business that Boro reportedly considering pulling off, but ultimately, didn't materialise.

As claimed by ExWHYEmployee via The West Ham Way, George Earthy was considering up his loan options, with Wrexham, West Brom, Norwich City and Middlesbrough all potential destinations for him.

However, the 21-year-old remains at the London Stadium at the close of the summer transfer window, as he hopes to try and make an impression on Graham Potter's first-team this season.

Middlesbrough and George Earthy wouldn't have been a match made in heaven

Earthy is a talented young player, of that there isn't any doubt.

Indeed, Middlesbrough witnessed what he could do first-hand in February, with his two goals being enough to hand Bristol City a 2-1 win over Boro at Ashton Gate.

The versatile attacking midfielder endured a tough opening few months of his season-long loan stint with the Robins last term, but really started to grow in confidence, quality and impact in the second half of the campaign.

Ending the season with three goals and one assist from 37 Championship appearances (excluding play-off semi-finals), the West Ham academy graduate was voted as Bristol City's Young Player of the Year.

However, had he of moved to Middlesbrough this summer, there's every chance his progression may have been stumped somewhat, through no fault of his own.

Such is the nature of the attacking midfield options Boro have at their disposal in 25/26, Earthy could easily have gotten lost in the strength in depth that Edwards has in-behind the centre-forward.

Hayden Hackney, Sverre Nypan, Alex Gilbert, Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg, Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker, David Strelec, Kaly Sene, Sontje Hansen; all of these first-team stars can operate in attacking midfield.

Edwards is also deploying a wing-back system on Teesside, which means the absence of wingers, and so Earthy would've been limited to competing for a role as one of the two starting number 10s in amongst all those talented players.

Therefore, for the sake of him getting regular football and for Middlesbrough using up one of their squad places on a player that would surely have a tough time obtaining starting opportunities, it feels as though him not getting a move to Boro is a win-win for everyone involved.

Earthy would be better served attempting to break into Potter's immediate plans over the next couple of months, before potentially sourcing himself another loan opportunity to a team that will have much more of a need and obvious place for him in their side in January.