Three players likely to be in demand should Middlesbrough suffer relegation

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If Middlesbrough go down it’s likely some of their best talent will be poached.

Aitor Karanka looks dejected

Middlesbrough find themselves in trouble, so much so that manager Aitor Karanka recently left and a replacement has yet to be brought in.

They’re five points off Premier League safety, albeit with a game in hand, and desperately struggling for goals at a time when the teams around them bar Sunderland all look like winning matches.

It’s not over yet but things look bleak and should Boro fail to stay up, here are the three players who could be most in demand.

Ben Gibson

Gibson’s performances recently earned him a first senior England call-up and aged 24 he’d be a long-term purchase while able to perform straight away.

Ben Gibson’s profile will make him an appealing prospect

From Everton to Manchester City to Southampton, there are going to be sides looking for a player like that in the summer. The Sun has already claimed City want him.

Given his deep roots at the club he’d be unlikely to press for a move away from Middlesbrough, but should they be relegated it may become the obvious career choice.

Adama Traore

Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore needs to turn potential into performances

If Boro go down it will be back-to-back relegations for Traore but despite that you’d expect him not to be short of suitors.

He hasn’t a goal or assist in the league this season but his potential is obvious – few players can boast his athletic ability, let alone combine it with technique – and there would certainly be clubs willing to write off his lack of end product as a combination of growing pains and Middlesbrough’s overall lack of attacking proficiency.

Fabio

Despite being a diminutive figure, Fabio isn’t afraid to get in opponents’ faces

Having been a regular member of one of the division’s most miserly defences – Boro’s is the sixth best – Fabio has provided some answers to questions over his defensive ability.

The fact he can easily play as a wing-back will also appeal to some clubs and at 26 he should be hitting his prime, so is another player you would imagine will be playing top flight European football next season whatever happens.