Alfie Doughty signs: The dream Middlesbrough FC summer 2025 transfer window | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at what a dream summer window may look like on Teesside.

Middlesbrough will still be hoping to be conducting their upcoming summer transfer business as a Premier League club.

Boro remain in with a chance of securing a play-off finish this season, but inconsistent performances and results have prevented Michael Carrick's side from truly establishing themselves as genuine promotion contenders.

But, as all second tier supporters can attest to, anything can happen in this division, and so Middlesbrough won't be giving up on their top flight dream until it's mathematically impossible.

Regardless of the league they're plying their trade in next term, a big summer transfer window appears to be in store at the Riverside Stadium, with numerous loan players set to return to parent clubs, and some clear areas in the squad that require improvements to be made.

Football League World takes a look at what a dream summer window might look like for the Teessiders.

In - Mark Travers

GK - Bournemouth

Goalkeeper has been a real problem position for Middlesbrough for a number of years, with the club fielding a different starting shot-stopper practically every season over the last few campaigns.

However, Bournemouth loanee Mark Travers has been a Riverside revelation, and seldom has Boro's goal looked in safer hands in recent times than with the Irish international between the sticks.

26 by the time next season starts, Travers must surely be desperate to find consistent playing time at this stage of his career, and with the Cherries being linked with Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher and Stoke City's Viktor Johansson, becoming a permanent part of Middlesbrough's furniture may be of great appeal to him.

Out - Seny Dieng

GK

Having lost his starting role as Middlesbrough goalkeeper, first to Sol Brynn, and then to Travers, Seny Dieng looks destined for a Riverside exit in the near future.

The 30-year-old has endured a mistake-laden campaign this season, and has evidently lost favour with Carrick.

As such, for the sake of both his club and international career, the former QPR man will surely need to explore a Teesside escape route this summer.

In - Kaine Kesler-Hayden

RB - Aston Villa

With the long-term futures of both Luke Ayling and Anfernee Dijksteel far from certain for a plethora of reasons, Middlesbrough will surely be looking to reinforce their right-back spot in the summer.

Boro have shifted their recruitment strategy towards the signing of young players that they believe they can develop into highly saleable assets, and Aston Villa's Kaine Kesler-Hayden will surely tick many of their boxes.

The former England youth international is only 22, and having built up experience in the Championship with loan moves to Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town respectively, he's perhaps enjoyed his best season yet on loan with Preston this year.

A dangerous and effective attacking threat, whilst also having taken huge strides in his defensive abilities this season, Kesler-Hayden has proven himself to be an excellent player at second tier level.

But, with first-team opportunities tough to come by at parent club Aston Villa, a permanent offer from Middlesbrough may well prove too tempting to turn down for both the Villains, and the player.

Out - Tom Glover

Signed on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 from Melbourne City FC, Tom Glover's Middlesbrough career has never truly threatened to get going.

Whilst there have been glimpses of a smart shot-stopper in there at times, the 27-year-old has been marred by mistakes and inconsistent performances during his time on Teesside so far.

As a result, he's yet to truly prove himself as being ready and capable of being entrusted to be a number one goalkeeper in the Championship, and as such, he looks to be a likely candidate for a summer exit.

In - Alfie Doughty

LB/LWB - Luton Town

With Lukas Engel gone, Alex Bangura blighted by injury and the loan return of Ryan Giles being far from a fairytale reunion so far, left-back looks sure to be a priority position for Middlesbrough to target in the summer.

Being the shrewd transfer market operators they've proven themselves to be on numerous occasions over the last few windows, Boro will surely be looking at Luton Town's situation and spotting a potential opportunity to swoop in on talismanic wing-back Alfie Doughty.

Should the Hatters drop into League One this season, then surely a player of Doughty's quality will have to be moved on, and with Middlesbrough in desperate need of a long-term answer on the left-side of their defence, the 25-year-old would be an excellent addition to make.

It was only last season that the attacking-minded wing-back was registering eight assists in the Premier League, and he could provide Boro with their left-back/left-wing back of the future that they've been so desperately crying out for ever since George Friend left the club in 2020.

Out - Dan Barlaser

Having joined Middlesbrough from Rotherham United in the January transfer window of 2023, Dan Barlaser just hasn't been able to carve out a starting role in the Middlesbrough side.

The 28-year-old is a divisive figure among Boro supporters, with some sections of the fanbase unconvinced and unsure of what he brings to the team, whilst others see an impressive passer of the ball with the ability to unlock a defence with his forward passing.

Either way, he's become resigned to a squad role on Teesside this season, and at 28, the former Newcastle United academy graduate will surely be seeking a larger role than that at this stage of his career.

In - Lewis Travis

CM/DM - Blackburn Rovers

With Jonny Howson now 36 and having seen his season be blighted by injury problems for the first time in his Boro career, Middlesbrough have noticeably lacked that bite and steeliness in the centre of midfield.

It's been a major criticism of the team by supporters this season, with the middle of the park so often being bypassed too easily, tackles not being made, and just a general consensus of Boro's central midfield area being too weak.

Adding a player like Lewis Travis, however, would change that. He may not carry a huge attacking threat, but with creative forward players like Finn Azaz, Delano Burgzorg, Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway, that wouldn't be much of an issue.

The 27-year-old is very much in the Adam Clayton mould of a central midfield player, which is the profile of player that Boro have really lacked in that department in recent times.

In - Ricky-Jade Jones

ST - Peterborough United

Having sold Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for £22.5m in the winter window, Middlesbrough may need to replenish their centre-forward options this summer.

£4.5m summer signing Tommy Conway has been highly impressive during his debut campaign in the North East, and as such, Boro may not wish to shell out big money on another striker.

However, with Peterborough United's Ricky-Jade Jones out of contract at the end of the season, the Posh centre-forward could be a highly shrewd addition to make.