Boro Accept Bid For Tomlin

Middlesbrough have accepted a bid from Premier League newcomers Bournemouth for 26 year old playmaker Lee Tomlin.

According to Sky Sports to two clubs have agreed a fee of around £3 million which could raise £3.5 million with “add on clauses”

Tomlin made 28 appearances for Boro last season scoring 10 goals, but after he started the season playing in his preferred number 10 position he was moved out on the left wing to compensate for the likes of Patrick Bamford and Jelle Vossen.  

Lee Tomlin in action for Boro last season

  

There may have been similar fears from the player this time around, as Tomlin would have faced competition from new signings Stewart Downing and Diego Fabbrini along with Mustapha Carayol who was side lined through injury last campaign.

The news hasn’t come out of the blue; Tomlin was pictured leaving the Riverside early after being named on the substitute’s bench in Boro’s pre-season friendly with Getafe. The Daily Mirror also reported that Tomlin had been training on his own in an attempt to force a move to a Premier League club.

Tomlin signed for Boro from Peterborough for £1.5 million in the 2014 January transfer window, he went on to play 14 games in the remainder of the 13/14 season scoring 4 goals.

Last campaign Boro fans were treated to more of Tomlin’s undoubted talents, which included a couple of cracking long range goals to dig Boro out sticky situations. He also performed admirably in front of the cameras against Manchester City in the FA Cup, however at times his performances where erratic and unpredictable. On occasions he gave the ball away too cheaply and went missing in games hence why he was moved out of his best position.

Tomlin should join former Leeds winger Max Gradel on the South Coast after the Ivorian joined Bournemouth from St Etienne yesterday morning.

Stephens Makes Boro Switch

Middlesbrough have acted swiftly in the transfer market to sign defender Jack Stephens on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.

Stephens playing for Swindon in League One last season

The 21 year old has made just one appearance for the Saints which came in an FA Cup tie against Coventry back in 2012, but has signed a two year contract extension with South coast club before agreeing terms with Boro.

Stephens spent last season on loan at league one side Swindon Town where he played 42 games including the play-off final defeat to Preston back in May.

The news abruptly broke around Friday tea time, just a couple of days after Boro defender Ben Gibson limped off the pitch with a hamstring strain during a pre-season friendly away at Barnsley. Although the injury isn’t a major one, Gibson is unlikely to start Boro’s opening game against Preston this weekend according to Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette.  

The signing of Stephens should provide cover for manager Aitor Karanka who, after losing Gibson, only had Daniel Ayala and Jonathan Woodgate available as established centre backs.

That could allow Stephens to make his Boro debut at Deepdale in six days’ time. Earlier in his career the defender learnt his traits as a right back but has since become more familiar in the centre half position.

"It's now important for me to play more games and improve as a player," he told Southampton's website.

"There's going to be a bit of pressure with Middlesbrough expected to get promoted, but that can only be a good thing for me."

Boro have also allowed goalkeeper Connor Ripley to join Scottish side Motherwell on loan until January, with the 22 year old hoping to play more regular first team football.  

Boro Sign Fabbrini On Loan

Middlesbrough have acquired the services of Watford midfielder Diego Fabbrini on a season long loan as the Teessiders continue to bolster their emergent squad.

Fabbrini had loan spells at Millwall and Birmingham last season 

The 24 year old Italian has made just 23 appearances for Watford since he joined the London club from Udinese in 2012; however Fabbrini has since gained Championship experience on loan at Millwall and Birmingham last season.

At 5 ft 11 in tall, Fabbrini is a versatile player who can play in centre midfield or on the wing. He can also play in the number 10 position behind the striker but will face competition from fellow new signings Stewart Downing and Lee Tomlin.

Speaking to Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette Fabbrini said “I decided to come here this season because Middlesbrough is a big club with a good history and I think this year we can do very well,”

“I think the gaffer is a good man and a good coach. I’ve come here because it’s a big club, I like playing with good team-mates and because of the gaffer”

The Italian was present and trained with his new team-mates during Boro’s pre-season friendly last Saturday, which finished goalless. Fabbrini was joined by Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani who is set to sign on a permanent deal from Espanyol in the next couple of days as he waits for international clearance.

Boro's Ambition Persuaded Downing

If nothing else Stewart Downing’s transfer to Middlesbrough a few weeks ago was a statement of intent, proof that Boro chairman and fan Steve Gibson is prepared to pull out all the stops in an attempt to return to England’s top division.  

Stewart Downing back in red and white at Middlesbrough

To the 35,000 fans it is more than that; it’s the return of a past hero, a home-grown product and ultimately a Premier League star which has helped rejuvenate fans after last season’s play-off defeat.

Downing’s move from West Ham for a reported £5.5 million certainly raised a couple of eyebrows in the nation’s capital, not least because new Hammers manager Slavan Bilic expressed that he wanted the English winger to stay at the London club where he performed admirably last season.

Downing also admitted other Premier League clubs, including Boro’s local neighbours Sunderland, were interested in his signature. However the 31 year old who has made 35 appearances for England and was included in Roy Hodgson’s squad at the start of last season said it was the potential promotion challenge which persuaded him to drop down a division

“This is a Premier League club,” Downing told BBC Look North.” If this was a team fighting relegation or mid-table, it wouldn’t be good for me to come back.”

“The manager (Aitor Karanka) said if he can keep most of the squad together and add the players he wants to get in then we’ll get in for automatic promotion”

After coming through the Middlesbrough youth academy Downing made his debut for his hometown club in April 2002 away at Ipswich. He went on to become a first team regular and was part of the side which reached the Uefa Cup final in 2006.

When Middlesbrough were relegated in 2009 he joined Aston Villa for a fee of around £10 million to maintain a career in the Premier League, he then moved on to Liverpool in 2011 before joining West Ham to play more regular football in 2013.

The deal could be the start of a big spending spree for the North East club, who are rapidly demonstrating their financial muscle in England’s second tier. Downing’s services primarily cost Boro a hefty £5.5 million which could rise to £7 million if they are promoted to the Premier League.

As a boyhood Boro supporter Gibson is as keen as anybody to return to the riches of the Premier League, and is prepared to provide his manager with the required commercial ammo.  

There have been several reports including one from “Sky Sports” that the Teessiders have bid a whopping £12 million for Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes and are very close to completing deals for Uruguayan forward Christian Stuani from Espanyol and midfielder Diego Fabbrini from Watford.