How Middlesbrough feel about signing Sunderland player | OneFootball

The Sunderland midfielder played a prominent role in the Boro side who fell just short of promotion

After falling short in the play-offs last season, Middlesbrough will be looking to improve their squad to go one better in Kim Hellberg's first full year in charge, and that may see a familiar face return on a permanent deal.

Boro wowed neutral EFL fans with their high-intensity, free-flowing style of play under Hellberg, but ran out of steam at the crucial moment, winning just two of their final 10 league games and then none of the three they played in the postseason.

However, Middlesbrough were able to remain in control of those games, regardless of the result, and would dominate possession under the Swedish boss. A lot of that can be attributed to Alan Browne's presence in the side.

The Championship veteran arrived on loan at the Riverside on deadline day last September, after his already squad role in the Sunderland fold was diminished after winning promotion to the Premier League.

Browne was in and out of the side in the first half of the campaign, but he started 16 of the final 20 games for Kim Hellberg ahead of the play-offs, providing good fitness and an experienced head in the engine room.

Middlesbrough "weighing up" permanent Alan Browne move

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Browne may not have been able to secure personal back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, but he played a more prominent role in the Teesiders run to the play-off final than he did on Wearside the year before.

The 31-year-old seemed to have made a good impression on Kim Hellberg during his first six months in the role, as Teeside Live are reporting that Middlesbrough are "weighing up" a move for him this summer as they prepare to go one better next season.

Browne enters the final year of his Sunderland deal next term, and with the Black Cats securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League, it's almost a certainty that the former Preston man's future lies away from the Stadium of Light.

This summer resembles a chance to get a fee for a man they spent nothing on in the summer of 2024, and Boro are interested in being the side to take him off Sunderland's hands permanently.

The Irishman crossed 400 Championship appearances across 11 years in the division last season. Over his time in the second tier, he's made fewer than 36 appearances just twice across a full year — the 2016/17 term at Deepdale and the one at Sunderland, where a fractured bone in his leg kept him out for over three months.

The reliability and fitness levels of the 31-year-old have not gone unnoticed by Kim Hellberg, and it makes sense as to why Boro are looking at bringing him back.

Alan Browne's permanent addition not linked to possible Hayden Hackney departure

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Teeside Live stressed that Boro will need another central midfielder addition this summer if Championship Player of the Year, Hayden Hackney, does part ways with the club, which the club expects will happen.

This potential move for Browne, crucially, is not linked to what seems to be an inevitable exit, despite Middlesbrough holding firm on their valuation.

That likely won't come as a surprise to Boro fans as, while the 31-year-old has shown good qualities at the Riverside over the past year, it would be massively underwhelming if he was the man tasked with filling the shoes of their star man.

Those in the terraces would also likely expect that one or two more traditional 'blockbuster' arrivals will be coming through the door this summer alongside some which would have less fanfare, such as Browne.

But, as far as transfers go, the Championship veteran is arguably as good as any team can get when it comes to strong squad players, and as their potential first signing of the window, there wouldn't be much negative reaction to it.