"This is such a slap in the face" - Tim Howard slams Middlesbrough transfer bid for Max Arfsten | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have bid rejected for talented American full-back Max Arfsten - Tim Howard has his say

Ex-USA goalkeeper Tim Howard has reacted after Middlesbrough's bid for American full-back Max Arfsten was rejected

Talented full-back Max Arfsten from MLS side Columbus Crew has been a key target for Middlesbrough this summer transfer window as the Championship club look to bolster their defensive options with deadline day around the corner.

The 24-year-old American has impressed over the course of the last two MLS campaigns due to his dynamism in wide areas that could prove to be vital for Rob Edwards' side.

Edwards has had the pleasure of working with Alfie Doughty in that position in the past at Luton Town, who made the move to Millwall this summer. Arfsten mimics a lot of the traits that Edwards admires in a full-back and would love to see him at the Riverside this season.

As well as his defensive stability, Arfsten is widely known in America for his attacking abilities, as the left-wing back has found the net nine times and provided 11 assists in 54 league appearances over the past two seasons with Columbus Crew, and therefore certainly fits the bill of a Rob Edwards team.

It was reported via Teesside Live that Middlesbrough had a bid in the region of £2.25m rejected for their top target and now, despite remaining keen on Afsten's signature, may look for other options with the transfer deadline fast approaching.

Former Everton and Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard had his say on the bid, with the price offered not being sufficient in his view.

Tim Howard has his say on Middlesbrough's bid for Max Arfsten

Howard spoke out on the Unfiltered Soccer Podcast with former US national teammate, Landon Donovan, on Middlesbrough's approach to signing Arfsten by highlighting the fact that English clubs do not value MLS players highly enough in his eyes.

Howard said, "I mean, Middlesbrough man, like, pay us like you owe us. This is crazy. He’s a young, up-and-coming US national team player. More than likely going to be on the World Cup roster if he continues this way. The rest of the world, wake up man. This is such a slap in the face."

“People who constantly complain about us banging the drum about like, ‘Woe is me with the American player.’ This is an example of it. If this was a young French kid, a young French left back, who just cracked into a national team, he'd be $20 million. You can’t get a bag of balls for $3 million dollars!

Howard went on to say, "So hats off to Columbus for saying 'thanks, but no thanks."

Max Arfsten to Middlesbrough looks to be a difficult deal

Despite ongoing transfer speculation for Arfsten to make the move to the Championship, Columbus Crew remain determined not to let their prized possession leave unless the price is right.

Because of the MLS side remaining strong in their stance in spite of Boro's interest, the North Yorkshire side may have to turn their attention towards other options such as Southampton's Charlie Taylor, as reported by Teesside Live.

Taylor has been offered to Boro by representatives. However, with the experienced 31-year-old merely making eight appearances last season, the young and exciting Arfsten remains to be their number one option in the left-back position, but with time running out in what looks to be a difficult deal to get over the line, Edwards may have to settle for Taylor.