Middlesbrough set to sanction blockbuster 8-figure transfer exit | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have agreed terms with FC Koln for the sale of Rav van den Berg

Middlesbrough have finally agreed a deal with German club FC Koln for the sale of defender Rav van den Berg.

As first reported by Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Boro accepted an offer for the 21-year-old, which was claimed to be in the region of €10 million (£8.64 million).

However, according to local Boro journalist Dominic Shaw, the Teessiders have agreed terms with the Bundesliga side for the defender at a cost of €13 million (£11.2 million) - which includes add-ons.

Van den Berg - the younger brother of Brentford's Sepp van den Berg - has been a key figure for Middlesbrough since joining from PEC Zwolle in the 2023 summer transfer window.

The Dutchman featured 51 times in the Championship for Middlesbrough over the last two years, but he was absent for the side’s opening day victory over Swansea City last weekend.

Middlesbrough agree Rav van den Berg sale to FC Koln

Middlesbrough have reportedly agreed the sale of Van den Berg, with the club set to receive an eight-figure sum for the player.

The centre-back has a contract with Boro until the summer of 2027, but the Championship side have opted to cash in on the significant European interest in his services.

There was a lot of speculation surrounding his future throughout the summer, with the player missing the team’s final pre-season friendly against Deportivo La Coruña, and then their opening league fixture last weekend against Swansea.

Middlesbrough have now reached an agreement with Koln that will end the saga surrounding his future at the Riverside Stadium.

Crystal Palace were previously linked with the player earlier in the summer, but he is now instead set for a move away from English football.

This will be Middlesbrough’s biggest sale of the window so far, with Josh Coburn’s permanent exit to Millwall the only other significant departure from the squad.

Middlesbrough’s summer business so far as Rav van den Berg sale set to add to transfer kitty

Middlesbrough have added three players to the squad this summer since the appointment of Rob Edwards as manager.

Abdoulaye Kanté, Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain have all joined the club on a permanent basis from Troyes, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers respectively.

Jones and Brittain started Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Swans, while Kanté made his debut off the bench - Van den Berg's imminent exit could pave the way for more additions at the club thanks to the boost in the transfer budget that it will bring.

Rav van den Berg sale is a blow for Rob Edwards and Middlesbrough

The £11 million or so fee that Boro will receive for Van den Berg is money that could be reinvested in Boro by the end of the window.

But it will be tough to find someone of his calibre that can join the squad, regardless of position, given how well he’d performed.

The opportunity to compete in the Bundesliga will be tempting for the defender, and a departure won’t come as a major surprise to fans after his absence in recent weeks.

But given the length of time left on his contract, perhaps Middlesbrough could have earned a slightly more significant fee from the German club.