Middlesbrough are hoping to keep their Championship status alive despite being involved in a relegation battle. Their final league standing could have an impact on whether or not the players that are out of contract this summer remain at the club or move elsewhere.
Middlesbrough Players out of Contract this Summer
Up to Seven Players Could Leave
Seven of the Middlesbrough squad are out of contract in the summer. Long term players Daniel Ayala and George Friend both see their contracts expire in the summer, with the duo having also spent time injured during this campaign. Ayala, who joined the club in 2013, has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances for the club, including 25 this season, but despite that, the 29-year-old Spaniard could leave in the summer. It’s a similar story for Friend. The 32-year-old has been with Boro since 2012 and the club captain has made just short of 300 appearances, but injuries have limited him to just six this season.
A third defender will also see his contract expire this summer. 31-year-old Ryan Shotton has made 17 appearances this season, but the former Birmingham City and Stoke City defender could be heading elsewhere, having made 80 appearances for the club.
Goalkeeper Aynsley Pears has pushed his way into the starting line up and made 23 appearances this season, but the Boro youngster could yet leave his boyhood club. The 21-year-old, who has previously spent time away on loan, is yet to sign a new deal and could be of interest to other sides.
Attacking Options
Midfielders Marvin Johnson and Jonathan Howson will see their Middlesbrough contract expire this summer. Johnson, who joined in 2017 following a successful season at Oxford United, had spent time away at Sheffield United last season, but is seemingly back in favour at the club under Jonathan Woodgate, having made 31 appearances. Howson, meanwhile, has provided five assists in 35 games this season, but the 31-year-old could be ending his three-year stay with the club.
Striker Rudy Gestede has had a tough time in Teesside. The Benin international had two good seasons at Blackburn Rovers, which promoted a move to Aston Villa, but since his Rovers days he has found goals hard to come by, including just two this season, and the 31-year-old is another that could leave the Riverside in the summer.
Main Photo
