"The timing isn’t right" - Middlesbrough warned over potential Anfernee Dijksteel deadline day dilemma | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit gives his verdict on the uncertainty surrounding Anfernee Dijksteel's future

Anfernee Dijksteel’s Middlesbrough future is uncertain going into the final hours of the summer transfer window.

According to Football Insider, Boro rejected advances for the defender in this transfer window, with interest arising from multiple clubs.

Teams in the Championship and abroad have both been linked with monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation at the Riverside.

Dijksteel is in the final year of his contract with Middlesbrough, so could be a free agent next summer if he stays and does not renew his contract.

The right-back has struggled for consistent game time under Michael Carrick, but it is understood that the Boro manager is reluctant to let him go so late in the window.

Verdict issued on Anfernee Dijksteel's Middlesbrough future

FLW’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Phil Spencer believes that it is now too late to decide to sell Dijksteel in the transfer window.

However, he is open to the idea of a sale going through in January, particularly if certain players can return to full fitness by then.

Spencer told Football League World.

"Dijksteel has a year left on his contract and is unlikely to get a new contract which means that his days at the club are very much numbered.

"However, Middlesbrough are struggling with injuries in defence right now with Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry, Tommy Smith, Alex Bangura and Rav Van den Berg all out.

"Dijksteel is a player who would have likely been sold this summer, but given our injuries, we can’t afford to lose a valuable squad player who is likely to get plenty of game time in the coming weeks.

"There’s every chance that we’ll cash in on the full-back in January, but right now, the timing isn’t right and it’ll be important to keep him.”

Anfernee Dijksteel may play a more significant Middlesbrough role in 2024-25

Dijksteel joined the club in the summer of 2019, making the switch from Charlton Athletic.

He has struggled for consistent game time in the years since, particularly under Carrick, appearing 20 times in the Championship last season (all stats from Fbref).

The Suriname international featured in one of the team’s opening three league games this year, starting in their 2-2 draw against Portsmouth in their most recent league outing.

Middlesbrough have until 11pm on Friday night to make a final decision over his immediate future before the window closes for the rest of the calendar year, but due to injuries, there is a chance that Dijksteel could play more of a role under Carrick in the first half of the season.

Anfernee Dijksteel exit on deadline day would be the wrong move for Middlesbrough.

Given the little time left in the transfer window, it makes sense for Middlesbrough to hold onto Dijksteel until at least January.

It’s unlikely he’d earn a major fee, so it’s not like there’s a massive opportunity cost by not cashing in either.

While the risk is that he will leave in the summer for nothing, that might be worth it in the short-term to allow for cover at the back for Boro during these injury issues.

With the team aiming to fight for promotion this season, they will need players like Dijksteel to help keep them in contention.