There has now been a major update on Middlesbrough‘s pursuit of Hull City star Kyle Joseph, following a breakthrough in talks.
After coming agonisingly close to securing promotion from the Championship, Boro are looking to raid play-off final winners Hull for Joseph, who missed just two games during the regular season.
The 24-year-old has a great deal of experience in the EFL, spending time with the likes of Blackpool, Cheltenham Town and Swansea City, but he is yet to test himself in the Premier League, which raises doubts about whether he is capable of making the step-up to the top flight.
As such, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic may not be too disheartened to lose the former Scotland U21 international, despite singling him out for high praise last season, saying: “When you compare him with last season, this is good. He deserves everything because in every training session, he puts in one hundred per cent. I would say one hundred and twenty. Every training session, he puts in so much hard work.
“Now we notice that he brings something. He has good energy and intensity and is very dangerous inside the box. When we played against Bristol City, he brought energy and changed the rhythm of the game. I’m very happy for him.”
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Morgan Whitaker still has three years remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, but it could be a savvy move to bring in a new forward regardless. Tommy Conway was inconsistent at times last season, with five of his 13 Championship goals coming in the final six games. Joseph is versatile enough to play on both flanks and through the middle, featuring across the forward line regularly throughout his career to date. |
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Finances |
A £5m deal wouldn’t break the bank for Boro, and it is said to be a fee that suits all parties, with Hull needing to offload players in order to avoid breaching FFP regulations. |
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Insight |
Although the 24-year-old wasn’t always the first name on the teamsheet, often featuring as a substitute, he ended up playing an important role in the Tigers securing promotion from the Championship, chipping in with eight goals and five assists in 44 matches during the regular season. |
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Impact |
With the London-born forward unproven in the top flight, Hull can probably afford to cash-in this summer, and he has all the hallmarks of being a squad player for Kim Hellberg’s side. Given his versatility, the forward could be a solid rotation option for the likes of Conway and Whitaker. |
Middlesbrough make breakthrough in Kyle Joseph pursuit
According to a report from Teesside Live, Hull don’t want to sell Joseph, but they are being forced into a sale, in order to abide by financial rules, with Middlesbrough recently making a breakthrough in discussions.
A £5m offer has been lodged by the Championship play-off finalists, which is set to be accepted, and a deal could be done within the next 48 hours.
Middlesbrough need to replace Hayden Hackney’s creativity
After missing out on promotion to the Premier League, Boro could be set to lose their captain this summer, with the likes of Crystal Palace and Everton keen on Hayden Hackney.
The Championship Player of the Season winner was the Teessiders’ joint-top playmaker in the Championship, setting up seven goals, so he could be sorely missed.
That said, Joseph has proven he could be up to the task of taking on the role of playmaker, having crafted eight big chances in the second tier last term, with Ryan Giles the only Hull player to create more.
The ex-Swansea City forward may need to be more clinical in front of goal though, having missed 13 big chances, which was four more than anyone else in the Hull squad.
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