Middlesbrough transfer target makes Kim Hellberg admission as decision looms | OneFootball

Middlesbrough target Otto Rosengren has commented on his links with the club ahead of a potential move this summer

Middlesbrough's summer window is heating up, and as Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg prepares for his first pre-season on Teesside, a player linked with a move to the Riverside has broken the silence on those rumours.

Having missed out on promotion to the Premier League in heartbreaking fashion, Middlesbrough and head coach Kim Hellberg will be keen to put that disappointment firmly behind them as they ready themselves for another push to the top flight next year.

Myles Peart-Harris has joined on a free transfer following his release from Oxford United, whilst Kyle Joseph has joined in a £5 million deal from Hull City. Boro did have an interest in former Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin, but his £9 million move to Southampton was confirmed earlier this week.

The likes of Samuel Silvera, Alex Gilbert, Darragh Lenihan, and Dael Fry have all left the club at the end of their contracts, with the latter penning a deal with division rivals Birmingham City, though undoubtedly the biggest deal they have been involved in this summer is the potential £25 million move of Hayden Hackney to Everton.

Hackney, 24, will prove to be close to impossible to replace, though a potential midfield target heading to Teesside has now broken the silence surrounding those rumours.

Middlesbrough target Otto Rosengren admits having a Swedish coach abroad would play a big factor in a move

Action images

Hackney's departure leaves a huge gap in the middle of the park for Boro, and his presence both on and off the pitch will prove incredibly difficult to effectively replace.

The Englishman made 154 appearances for his boyhood club before departing for Merseyside this summer, with his exit being an inevitability if Boro missed out on promotion.

Few will envy Hellberg's task of finding a player capable of adequately filling his shoes, though a midfield target has now broken the silence of his links to the club.

Swedish midfielder Otto Rosengren came through the ranks of current champions of Sweden Mjallby before joining Malmo in 2023, with whom he has gone on to score nine and assist 14 in 107 games from midfield.

Rosengren will be a name familiar to Hellberg, as it was revealed earlier this week by Expressen of Middlesbrough's interest in the 23-year-old, as they face competition from German Bundesliga outfit 1. FC Koln.

Now, Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen have published an interview with the midfielder, in which he has responded to links to Teesside, saying: "Nothing concrete right now so I'm focusing on Malmö and the next match against Kalmar. I'm here and now, and I think it's really fun to be here. Then I want to continue on the winning track.

"Of course, if something concrete and interesting comes up, we'll take it from there.

"It goes without saying that it would have helped to have Swedish coaches if you move abroad, absolutely."

Indeed, Rosengren has given a clear hint that Hellberg could play a telling role in any move that becomes a formality this summer, as the 38-year-old aims to bring a compatriot to the club.

However, the midfielder ended the interview by leaving the door open for Koln to explore a move, saying: "I think the German league would have suited me well. It's clear that it's a step you dream of, moving abroad. That's how it is for most players."

Though no fee has been reported as yet, Transfermarkt values him at around €3 million, and with less than 18 months remaining on his current deal with Malmo, a bid around the region could be deemed acceptable.

Middlesbrough will be hoping their Swedish head coach can play to an advantage as they battle Koln for his services, with the search for Hackney's replacement rumbling on.

Kim Hellberg can play a crucial role in negotiations for Otto Rosengren this summer following the midfielder's latest comments

Action Images

It would appear that any move to Middlesbrough for Rosengren would hinge on the factor of Hellberg, with the opportunity to work with a compatriot abroad being an admittedly attractive prospect for the midfielder.

The 23-year-old has yet to play outside his native country in his career, and having someone who can help him acclimatise to a new country and division would be hugely beneficial.

With Koln lurking, they face strong competition for his services, as Hellberg could be the key factor in any move to Boro coming to fruition this summer.