JUST like they did ahead of the January transfer window, Middlesbrough will be looking to nail down their transfer business ahead of time. Head of Football Kieran Scott and manager Chris Wilder pinpointed their targets and got them in early doors ahead of an important second half of the season.

No doubt that contingencies will currently be put in place by the club staff ahead of what will be a huge summer for the club. Whether they are in the Premier League or the Championship.

They may not be one of the heavy favourites to go up this season but they have put themselves right in the mix with nine games to go in the season.

Transfer plans will be altered accordingly but assuming that Boro are in the second tier for another season, their main focus will have to be reinforcing the striker’s department with Andraz Sporar, Aaron Connolly and Folarin Balogun due to return to their parent club’s in the summer.

With that in mind, here are a number of options Boro could potentially pursue…

Ross Stewart (Sunderland)

The Northern Echo: Sunderland striker Ross Stewart has 22 goals this season

Having watched him at the Black Cats throughout the season, this is an option Boro should be moving heaven and earth to complete.

Stewart tops the goalscoring charts in League One with 22 so far and his performances have just earned him a call up to the senior Scotland squad. The 25-year-old mainly scores poachers goals inside the box but isn’t afraid to have a go from distance and is very capable from the penalty spot.

Not only does he have an eye for goal, he’s quick, strong, good in the air, has good awareness and footballing intelligence and the ball sticks to him like glue. For his tall stature of 6 ft 2 in, he is very mobile and has the energy to chase hopeful balls and run the channels. In a Chris Wilder system, he can do a bit of everything and run himself into the ground.

With one year left on his current contract, Sunderland may well be tempted to cash in if they remain in League One for next season and there will be plenty of clubs interested in making a move. However, there is an option to extend his deal by a further year which may well put any potential move to bed.

There will be a lot of other moving parts to a potential deal. Will Boro achieve promotion to the Premier League or stay in the Championship? Will Sunderland make a return to the Championship or stay in League One? What sort of fee would Boro have to stump up? All of these factors will play a major role.

Emil Riis Jakobsen (Preston North End)

The Northern Echo: Emil Riis Jakobsen in action for Preston North End against Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier.Emil Riis Jakobsen in action for Preston North End against Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier.

The Dane has been a constant thorn in Middlesbrough’s side over the last few years having scored in two of his last three appearances against them.

He’s up to an impressive tally of 17 goals in all competitions this season in a Preston side that have barely threatened to mount a top six finish as they sit 14th in the table.

His pace and energy gives options to run in behind defenders and while he has a fox in the box mentality to finish chances from close range as we saw during Preston’s 2-1 win at the Riverside this earlier this season. There is range to his attacking qualities and at 23-years-old, his best years are ahead of him.

However, Jakobsen recently signed a fresh new contract with the Lilywhites in October last year extending his deal at the club to the summer of 2025 so Boro would have to pay handsomely for his services.

Viktor Gyokeres (Coventry City)

The Northern Echo: Viktor Gyokeres in action for Coventry City. Viktor Gyokeres in action for Coventry City.

The Swedish international started the season like a house on fire for a Coventry City side that were flying in the upper echelons of the automatic promotion places.

After nine goals in his first 11 games, he then went on a 14 game goal draught as the Sky Blues slipped down to mid-table. However, he’s been getting back amongst the goals and is now up to 14 for the season.

During Boro’s defeat to Coventry earlier this season, fans spoke of how Gyokeres had ‘bullied their defenders. Despite standing at a height of around 6 ft 1 inch, he isn’t afraid to run at players with the ball and get in beyond defenders. But his biggest threat is in and around the box. He’s shown this season on a number of occasions he had a predatory instinct.

He is another who is now rated highly and has two years left on his current contract which would force Boro to get the chequebook out.

Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)

The Northern Echo: Eddie Nketiah in action for Arsenal.Eddie Nketiah in action for Arsenal.

This would be a very unlikely option for Boro but would be a hell of a signing if they can pull it off.

It’s all a bit up in the air for Nketiah. The 22-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League game this season and is currently facing an uncertain future with his contract at Arsenal set to come to an end in the summer. Talks have gone on between player and club but a deal is yet to be agreed.

His game time at the Gunners seems limited thanks to the emergence of the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emil Smith-Rowe.

A huge stumbling block could be his wages which Boro would not be able to match. However, if an extension to his contact at Arsenal could be agreed, then a loan move might well be on the cards, especially if a Premier League club wasn’t interested in taking a gamble on him. A similar move to the one Boro struck with Folarin Balogun in January.

Whether his team-mate Balogun would be interested in a return back to Boro for a loan move is another question worth answering. Having one or the other for a full season is something worth pursuing for Boro.

Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley)

The Northern Echo: Cauley Woodrow celebrates scoring for Barnsley.Cauley Woodrow celebrates scoring for Barnsley.

A player who has proven himself at Championship level and may well prove to be a useful addition.

Although this season has seen a knee injury in December cut his game time significantly, the Barnsley captain has hit double figures in goals for the Tykes in each other the last three campaigns.

If Boro were to remain in the Championship for another season and Barnsley were to suffer relegation, then adding the likes of Woodrow could be a useful option given the likes of Andraz Sporar, Aaron Connolly and Folarin Balogun will return to their parent clubs after their loan spells.

His contract is due to come to an end in the summer of 2023. If Barnsley were League One bound and a Championship side came calling then they may well be tempted to cash in.

Freddie Ladapo (Rotherham United)

The Northern Echo: Rotherham United striker Freddie Ladapo.Rotherham United striker Freddie Ladapo.

A man who has been regularly linked with a move away from the New York Stadium, including to Middlesbrough.

He’s been a regular scorer for the Millers over the years at Championship and League One level. He’s on 15 for the season so far with Rotherham United looking likely to complete another yoyo move of getting promoted back to the Championship.

However, if another Championship club came calling, there may well be temptation for Ladapo to try and advance his career instead of potentially trying to avoid a third relegation in five years.

The downside is that Wilder seems invested in developing youth in the side and at the age of 29, Ladapo doesn’t fit that mould. But he would be a good option to call upon.

Honourable mentions:

Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)

Not quite worked out for the striker since his move to the Premier League from the Bundesliga. A loan move for game time could become an option.

Nathan Broadhead (Everton)

Impressed at League One level on loan at Burton Albion and Sunderland. With game time unlikely at Everton, a loan move to the Championship could be the natural step.

Liam Delap (Manchester City)

The son of long throw specialist Rory will be looking to break into first-team football but looks unlikely to do that at Manchester City. A Championship side could be a good option.

Marcus Forss (Brentford)

Minimal game time at Brentford has seen him move to Hull City on loan until the end of the season. The Finn has achieved promotion with the Bees in the past.

Shola Shoretire (Manchester United)

The 18-year-old, originally from Newcastle, may need first-team football to aid his development. Although a Championship club might be too big of a step.

Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)

He constantly gets linked with other clubs during each transfer window. With Newcastle set to spend big, the likelihood is that Gayle will get nowhere near their first team.

Joel Piroe (Swansea City)

At 22 years of age and 17 goals this season, this could be a good option. However, they will have work to do to prise him away from the Swans.

Harry Cornick (Luton Town)

A pacey dogmatic striker who has reached double figures for the season and scored twice against Boro.