Three keepers that should be on Middlesbrough’s shopping list

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A new keeper is expected to be an early priority for Garry Monk at Middlesbrough, following the departure of Victor Valdes, so what are his options?

Middlesbrough’s Dimi Konstantopoulos celebrates

The hopes of rebuilding Middlesbrough’s confidence to come straight back up to the Premier League were dealt a blow when Victor Valdes announced he wanted to shorten his stay and head back to Barcelona, as SkySports reported.

Valdes has been a Champions League winner and was by far the most experienced shot-stopper at the club, but his exit has left a hole, especially as fellow first team stopper Brad Guzan had already decided he was heading to the MLS.

Monk has Dimi Konstantopoulos at his disposal, who played 43 games in the side’s promotion 2014/15 season in the Championship, but while the Greek might see himself as the new number one, as reported on Gazette Live, Monk might want to consider these other options.

Stoke City’s Lee Grant celebrates after the game

Lee Grant
Monk was spying Lee Grant among others last season before the keeper joined Stoke City, as reported by the Daily Express, and the new Boro boss should consider a hopeful bid for the Potters backup, who impressed last season. The ex-Ram’s keeper is not going to find it easy to get ahead of Jack Butland who is now fully fit again. Last season he managed 91 saves from his 29 games and he stepped in extremely well to cover for the injured Butland. He is a safe pair of hands and knows the Championship inside out.

Liverpool’s Adam Bogdan

Adam Bogdan
He could also consider calling Liverpool for Adam Bogdan, who has rather fallen out of the limelight at Anfield. His time at Bolton Wanderers in the Championship was impressive, but he found himself there again last season on loan to Wigan Athletic when he made 17 appearances for the Latics and made 37 saves, including two penalty saves. It is difficult to see Bogdan pushing his claim for more football at Liverpool and a move to a team like Middlesbrough would kick-start his career again.

Hull City’s David Marshall with Tom Huddlestone and Curtis Davies

David Marshall
Hull City’s David Marshall only played 16 games for the Tigers and fell behind Eldin Jakupovic in the goal positioning stakes at the KCOM stadium, who himself has been linked with a move to Leicester City, reports the BBC. Marshall was outstanding in the Championship with Cardiff City making some 264 appearances for them. He was also in goal on the day of Spur’s 7-1 battering of Hull City and would probably be thrilled to have a change of scenery after a relegation season – it’s all gone horribly wrong for Marshall at Hull City, as Wales Online pointed out. Whether Hull City would sell more than one keeper though this summer is a sticking point that Garry Monk would have to try and overcome.