Middlesbrough urged to seal double transfer involving David Strelec and USA star | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been handed a clear transfer wish list

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough kicked off their 2025/26 Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over Swansea City.

However, things haven’t been plain sailing for new boss Rob Edwards, after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of League One side Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup.

Boro have added Sontje Hansen, Abdoulaye Kanté, Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain to their ranks so far this summer and there is still time left in the window to acquire some final recruits.

Football League World’s Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day, has highlighted two targets Edwards and Co. should pursue before transfer deadline day on September 1.

Middlesbrough given transfer wish list ahead of deadline day

“The first signing I would make has to be Max Arfsten,” stated Liam. “Left wing-back is an area that has needed addressing all summer.

“Sammy Silvera has stepped up, and I respect it a lot, but the alternative is George McCormick, who just doesn't seem ready at all if I'm honest with you.

“Max Arfsten seems to have a lot of pace and is more attack-minded than defensive. Don't get me wrong, he might open us up a bit more at the back, but going forward we just need more pace.

“We've signed Sontje Hansen, who should add a bit more of that, but someone like Max Arfsten is who we need to add some extra pace on the left and then hopefully we’d have it on both sides with those two.

“Then we need to sign a striker, we really need a physical profile, so I'm going back to David Strelec. I'm not sure how realistic it is now, apparently he is nearing a move to Celtic.

“But if he is an option, I'd really like us to explore it. He's big and physical. We’ve struggled to get Tommy Conway in games recently, and it's really affecting our attacks from the looks of it.

“I was going to say Richard Kone, but he has now gone to QPR, so Strelec would be my striker option.

Middlesbrough may struggle to acquire David Strelec and Max Arfsten

Arfsten and Strelec would both be solid purchases for Middlesbrough and undoubtedly raise the level of their squad, but the possibility of them capturing the players doesn’t seem too realistic at this moment in time.

Strelec was linked to Boro earlier in the year, but those rumours have since gone quiet, with it seeming much more likely that the striker will land north of the border with Scottish giants Celtic.

Middlesbrough have previously expressed their interest in a move for Arfsten, seeing a bid rejected for the left-sided defender. However, current club Columbus Crew have stated that he’s not for sale, which would scupper any potential transfer.

Therefore, if Edwards and Co. are going to make any more additions, they may have to explore targets they hadn’t previously shown a desire to sign earlier in the summer.