MIDDLESBROUGH are making good progress in their efforts to sign Hull City forward Kyle Joseph, as Boro look to revamp their attack in preparation for next season's Championship promotion push.
Hull are in a race against time to raise around £6m before the end of the month as they bid to ensure they don't fall foul of the Premier League's financial rules, and the Tigers face being hit with a points deduction if they don't make up the shortfall.
Boro have held talks with Hull over Joseph, who is one of a number of attacking targets this summer. And while it's understood a deal hasn't yet been finalised at this stage, there's hope further progress can be made quickly
The deadline for Hull to raise funds to avoid sanctions is Tuesday. Reports from the Hull end claim the Tigers are "close to securing two first-team departures."
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Millwall were linked with Joseph earlier this summer.
The 24-year-old scored eight goals and provided five assists for Hull last season, despite only starting 27 of the 46 Championship games in the regular campaign.
Joseph is versatile and can play across the forward line, though it's understood Boro believe his qualities are best suited as a No.9. He's deemed to be the type of player who will flourish under the watch of Boro boss Kim Hellberg.
Strengthening the forward line is Boro's priority this summer and, as reported by the Northern Echo earlier this week, recruitment officials have lined up several attacking targets and are currently working on a number of potential deals.
Boro want to ensure they have real depth in the forward line and will bring in more than one No.9 this summer. They're also keen to strengthen out wide and in the deeper attacking roles.
As reported last week, Lewis Dobbin is one of the players Boro want to sign this summer.
Joseph caught Boro's eye last season at Hull, and was monitored through the campaign.
Back in December, after Joseph scored a double in a 3-1 win at Millwall, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic said: "Kyle is a hardworking player on the wing and up front. He is always playing for the team and the team likes him.
"You can see in every game that he tries to fulfil our expectation. He deserves everything."
Joseph didn't feature in the play-off final victory over Boro after picking up an ankle injury in the semi-final second leg victory over Millwall, but it's believed the forward will be sidelined for weeks rather than months with the issue.
Joseph's injury record is good, with the striker having featured in 44 of Hull's 46 games in the regular Championship season.
He was available for every game in the second half of the 2024/25 season after joining Hull from Blackpool.
He was the top scorer for the Seasiders in the first half of that League One campaign before his switch to the MKM Stadium.
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