Middlesbrough eye Keanu Baccus: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

It’s been a fairly quiet January for Middlesbrough so far in what is Michael Carrick’s first transfer window since taking charge.

The former Manchester United player and coach has landed one high-profile signing in Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer, who has experience scoring goals in the Championship.

But Carrick has hinted that more arrivals could follow while The Telegraph has reported Boro are one of three second tier clubs keen on St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus this month.

We’ve run the rule over the potential, which is said to cost in the region of £350,000.

Is it a good potential move?

If Boro can sign the midfielder for the low six-figure fee that’s currently being touted, it would be excellent business.

Baccus has been really impressive for St Mirren and would strengthen a midfield area that’s hardly stacked with quality and depth at the moment.

From the player’s perspective, the chance to move to a Championship side that are on the up and set to challenge for promotion to the Premier League must be appealing.

Not only that, he would get the chance to learn from Carrick, who was one of the most underrated midfielders of the Premier League era.

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Would he start?

I’m not sure he’d be in Boro’s best XI straight away as it’s hard to see him ousting either Hayden Hackney or Jonny Howson.

That said, with fixtures set to come thick and fast in the second half of the season it would not be a surprise to see him starting games as a rotation option.

What does he offer?

The young central midfielder is not yet the finished article but with a bit of patience could develop into a well-rounded player.

He’s got a strong all-around game but it’s his industrious work out of possession that has helped him stand out for St Mirren this season.

The 24-year-old proven in the SPFL that he can deal with the physical side of the game as well, which would certainly help in the Championship.

Distribution and creativity are not his strong suit but there are signs to suggest that with a bit of work under a coach like Carrick, he could be an asset in that area as well.