Boro Insist Finances Are Stable

Middlesborough chief executive Keith Lamb has insisted the North East side won’t be forced to sell their best players, despite the club being relegated from the Premier League in May.

Lamb said “The club remains in a good financial state and it is our aim to bounce back at the first attempt,”

“We know that not only will we survive relegation, we are in a good position to give it a really good go at getting back again.

“Those that want to leave - and can find a club that can satisfy our demands - may well leave, that’s football.

“But by that I mean that (manager) Gareth Southgate is prepared to release them from his squad and we get reasonable compensation.”

Star players such as defender David Wheater, winger Stewart Downing and striker Sanli Tuncay could all leave this summer due to the club only being able to offer Championship football next season. Turkish star Tuncay has already been linked with moves to both Merseyside clubs Everton and Liverpool.

Downing however is currently injured and isn’t expected back till January, so it is unlikely the winger will leave this summer. One player that will be leaving Boro is highly rated goalkeeper Ross Turnbull. The 24 year old has been linked with Chelsea and Everton, but could move to a club who are likely to offer him first team football next season.