Him Hellberg has emphasised the need to add 'pace' and 'depth' to the Middlesbrough squad in the ongoing summer transfer window.
We're just shy of a month into the summer transfer window and Middlesbrough already have some notable gaps to fill.
The £16.5m sale of Hayden Hackney -- who Hellberg described as the "best player in the league" -- perhaps leaves the biggest void, while boyhood Boro fan Dael Fry -- who captained the club to the Championship play-off final in 2025/26 -- joined Birmingham City on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.
Loanees Alan Browne and Matt Targett played key roles in the club's 2025/26 success, and so the Riverside outfit will also be seeking replacements for both players.
When speaking to the Northern Echo at Boro's training camp in Portugal, Hellberg was questioned on how he expects their transfer business to unfold this summer.
He said: "I'm very hopeful.
"For me, we are working very hard here and very hard to sign players that suit the way we want to play.
We need to take a step to make it a bigger squad. Our squad wasn't deep enough last season, everyone saw that. I'm not hiding from that, I think that's common ground for everyone.
- Kim Hellberg
"But that doesn't mean you have to sign 11 players, that can also be giving the young kids the preparation to get there.
"Then adding pace. I think could see that in the final. The worst thing that happened to us was Tommy (Conway) didn't play."
While Boro haven't been amongst the most active EFL clubs at the start of the window and are far from a complete squad -- as admitted by Hellberg -- they have confirmed the additions of two players and a third announcement is seemingly on the way.
Jeremy Sarmiento -- who spent last season on loan with the club -- has joined the Riverside Stadium in a permanent deal worth €3.70m, while former Oxford man Myles Peart-Harris has signed a four-year deal with Boro on a free transfer.
The North East outfit are reportedly set to make Hull City striker Kyle Joseph their next signing in the coming days, but this will not mark the end of their business with regards to incomings.
According to the Northern Echo, the club seek "more attacking reinforcements", while additions are expected in midfield, defence and the goalkeeper department.
