Middlesbrough questioned for ‘overpriced’ £5m transfer | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are closing in on a £5m deal to sign Hull City forward Kyle Joseph.

Middlesbrough suffered play-off heartbreak at Wembley in May as Hull City beat Kim Hellberg’s side with a stoppage time goal to reach the Premier League.

That was a bitter pill for Boro to take, but, on reflection, they will see that they had a very good season, with Hellberg doing a fine job after succeeding Rob Edwards.

The Swedish coach implemented an attacking style of play at the Riverside Stadium, and whilst there was a theme of missed chances costing the side, there is an understanding that Boro are heading in the right direction.

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Middlesbrough closing in on £5m deal for Hull City’s Kyle Joseph

Now, the challenge is to back Hellberg with new signings, and the Teesside outfit are completing a £5m deal for Hull’s Kyle Joseph.

The versatile forward played an important role in the Tigers’ unlikely promotion, scoring eight goals and recording five assists in 46 games, but he did miss the final through an injury he suffered in the play-off semi-final at Millwall.

It appears that was Joseph’s final game for Hull, as he is now poised to join Boro as he looks to make it back-to-back promotions.

Yet, despite Joseph’s contribution last season, the £5m fee has been a talking point, as some feel it’s a generous sum from Boro.

And, when asked by FLW about the price tag, Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day admitted he thinks it is ‘steep’, although he won’t judge Joseph properly until he has had a fair crack of things at the club.

“I definitely think it’s overpriced. Joseph’s a decent player, and Boro desperately need depth in attacking areas, and I can see why Boro are interested in him. He seems similar to Tommy Conway with his work ethic.

“But, in terms of all-round ability and potential re-sale value, I don’t see much of it, and £5m seems too steep.

“If he can contribute with goals and assists to help us reach the Premier League, it’s invaluable. So, the depth is important, and that’s what we’ve got to consider. But, £5m for a backup striker is certainly interesting, but you should never write off a player before he has put on a shirt.”

Middlesbrough must continue to back Kim Hellberg this summer

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The previous season was Joseph’s first real run in the Championship, and it obviously ended on a high with Hull winning promotion.

His goal record isn’t going to particularly excite the Boro fans, and there are many who will agree that £5m is quite steep for a player who only scored eight goals.

But, that doesn’t tell the whole story, and Joseph’s all-round game will be important to Boro, as he is a willing runner, he suits Hellberg’s pressing style, and he can play in various attacking positions.

In that sense, he would be a valuable squad player, and Hellberg would back himself to get more out of Joseph going forward, as he is still relatively young with plenty of room for development.

Obviously, this is a signing that will be judged in time, but it’s clear that Middlesbrough need attacking reinforcements, so this is a good start to the window.

Now, it’s crucial that Boro continue to back Hellberg as much as possible, as his first full campaign could be an exciting one if they get things right in the market, with promotion sure to be the aim for the club next season.