Luke Ayling’s comments could help Middlesbrough make an important transfer decision on Friday.
Luke Ayling has been a revelation since joining Boro midway through last season. The defender joined Middlesbrough on loan from Leeds United in January, as Michael Carrick sought to provide some much-needed insurance at right-back following Tommy Smith’s injury.
Ayling is an experienced player who has previously excelled in the Premier League, but few Boro fans anticipated him to perform so well in his debut season at the Riverside.
The Teessiders lost just one of their last 12 Championship games that season, and the Englishman was a big reason why, assisting a whopping eight goals in 19 games while playing as a fullback.
The 32-year-old has returned to the North East on a free transfer this summer and remains an important player at the club.
Ayling was considered Middlesbrough’s finest player against Portsmouth after excelling out of position at centre-back for the Reds. Middlesbrough should compete against Derby County for Liam Cooper.
With transfer deadline day approaching, Ayling will be hoping Boro buy a centre-back so he can return to his natural position as a right back.Middlesbrough are hopeful of acquiring George Edmundson from Ipswich Town, but a better option could be available today.
According to writer Darren Witcoop on X/Twitter, Derby County and another undisclosed Championship team are vying for Liam Cooper’s signature.
Cooper is presently a free agent, and Carrick should want to reunite the centre-back with Ayling on Teesside this season. Luke Ayling tells Middlesbrough what Liam Cooper has to offer.
Cooper joined Leeds from Chesterfield in 2014, and Ayling moved to Elland Road two years later.
The pair spent seven years together in the Peacocks’ backline before the latter moved to Middlesbrough.His relationship with Ayling should make the Scotsmans’ transfer into the Boro backline much smoother, and he is also, as previously stated, available for free.
Cooper, 33, would bring a wealth of experience to the club, as Ayling has already told the Reds what his former captain has to give.
In an interview with LUTV in March 2019, he stated, “He has been
Our skipper has been a rock in the back. I believe players and supporters are beginning to recognise him as a key player for us.”
With Boro in need of centre-back reinforcements, a deal for Cooper may be ideal for Carrick.
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