Will Charlton Athletic lose Dijksteel to Championship rivals Boro? Jonathan Woodgate is also allegedly keen on ex-Aston Villa favourite Alan Hutton.
Middlesbrough are interested in signing free agent Alan Hutton and have made a third bid for Charlton Athletic’s Anfernee Dijksteel, according to the Northern Echo.
We are just one game into Jonathan Woodgate’s managerial career and things could hardly be more different at the Riverside.
A team who averaged barely more than a goal-a-game under the arch pragmatist Tony Pulis clearly enjoyed being freed from the shackles in Woodgate’s first match at the helm, a 3-3 draw away at Luton Town.
But, after conceding three times against a newly promoted side, you can see why the former Tottenham and Real Madrid defender wants to strengthen his backline before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
And the Echo believes that Boro are hoping to finally lure Dijksteel to the Riverside at the third time of asking.
The 22-year-old Dutchman inadvertently caused the new season’s first squirm-inducing own goal, his goalline clearance cannoning off his own goalkeeper in Charlton’s overwise impressive 2-1 win away at Blackburn on Saturday. But that should not distract from his undoubted potential.
The report adds that he is valued at around £2 million, though it remains to be seen how much Middlesbrough have offered.
34-year-old Hutton, meanwhile, is still without a club despite helping Aston Villa win the play-offs just three months ago.
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