The Leeds United defender joined Boro on loan in the January transfer window.
Highlights
- Middlesbrough planned a Championship campaign but did not make the playoffs despite a strong finish.
- Uncertainty looms as important players such as McNair and Howson consider leaving pending the conclusion of contract negotiations.
- Dana Malt, a Middlesbrough fan, recommends looking for a younger option over Luke Ayling’s probable pay demands.
This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal comments from FLW Fan Pundits on breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Middlesbrough’s plans for next season’s Championship campaign will be well underway after failing to build on an impressive debut season under Michael Carrick’s leadership.
Despite a good finish to the season, having gone nine games unbeaten in the league before losing to Leeds United on Monday night, their inconsistency throughout the season has seen them miss out on the play-offs.
However, Carrick, who is only in his second full season as manager, will gain valuable experience this season, with decisions to be taken in the summer to help the Teesside club compete for a return to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough players are out of contract this summer.
Middlesbrough are yet to agree new terms with three players whose contracts will expire in the summer.
Paddy McNair and Jonathan Howson have demonstrated their experience this season and played a significant role in Boro’s recent strong form, but they may be poised to leave the Riverside Stadium at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether the pair’s new contracts will be confirmed, as according to Capology’s calculations, they are the best paid players on permanent contracts at the club, earning £20,000 and £25,000, respectively, equating to approximately £3 million per year.
Loan signings Lewis O’Brien, Luke Thomas, Sam Greenwood, and Luke Ayling will also return to loan home clubs at the conclusion of the season, with the possibility of a permanent deal for one of those players ruled out by Football League World’s Middlesbrough fan commentator.
Luke Ayling admits before of likely permanent move to Middlesbrough.
Since joining the club in the January transfer window, Ayling has appeared in every game so far, with the exception of Boro’s game at Elland Road due to his ineligibility to play against his former team, and has performed admirably for Carrick.
During his time at the Riverside Stadium, he had five assists in 17 appearances, proving to be a reliable right-back while also providing a danger in the attacking third.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with Leeds in the summer and has since been linked with a move to Sheffield United, according to The Sun.
However, according to FLW’s Middlesbrough fan commentator, Dana Malt, the club should attempt to bring in a younger option to fill the vacuum on the right-hand side, stressing that Ayling’s prospective wage demands may be out of Boro’s reach if they try to negotiate a contract.
“Although Luke Ayling’s performances have made me think and question my stance as to whether I want him to be signed by Boro permanently this summer, ultimately, I still think I am of the opinion that I would like to see Boro sign a different option,” said Malt.
“Most significantly, a younger option that will benefit Boro as a football club.
“I’ll stress that his performances made me ponder. They’ve been terrific, and he’s connected up well with Latte Lath, and I believe his deliveries from the right side have also been of good quality, which is great to see.
“But with two experienced alternatives at right-back, it’s either him or Tommy Smith, and I have a feeling Luke Ayling’s wages may be a little high for Boro, given that Leeds were in the Premier League last season.
“I know he is out of contract, but if financially it does not make sense, I think you step back, move away and look for a younger option at right-back and keep Tommy Smith as the competition for that summer signing.”
