In an interview that foreshadows an exciting few months ahead in terms of his future, Riley McGree hasn’t ruled out leaving Middlesbrough this summer.
Following surgery to address a foot issue that prematurely terminated his season, McGree has been enjoying a break in Australia. As the forward approaches the last 12 months of his current Boro contract, it’s likely that negotiations with his representatives will continue until he returns to Rockliffe on Monday, June 24 for the start of preseason training.
Asked about heading back for the start of the season with uncertainty over his future, McGree told 7News Adelaide in his homeland: “Every season is important. I’m going out there as I would any season, (whether that) be with Middlesbrough again or elsewhere. I have to say I love the club and the people there.”
As things stand, Boro would love to keep McGree this summer, but they must be prepared to consider the prospect that they will have to let him leave if contract negotiations come to a deadlock. Although McGree seems eager to sign a new contract and stay, it’s clear that their ideas on what constitutes a fair offer diverge.
It raises a lot of questions about McGree’s summer plans and whether he will remain at Boro. The 25-year-old is still unquestionably a vital member of the Boro team, although he just finished an injury-plagued season. It meant he was unable to have much of an effect and only started 14 league games.
It makes the current situation a delicate one for the Australian. It remains to be seen what interest, if any, there is in McGree from elsewhere off the back of a disappointing campaign. Whether he could take what would be considered a forward step in his career after last season is unknown.
But if he can’t, there has to be an element of McGree needing to be careful this summer because in his absence at the end of last season, Finn Azaz really started to come into his own, while Alex Gilbert finished on a high and will hope to make a positive impression in pre-season to cement a place in the squad next term as opposed to heading out on loan.
Carrick has previously expressed excitement over the development of McGree’s countryman Sammy Silvera too, while Boro are known to be in the market for another versatile forward who would be capable of playing the same two roles as McGree in Michael Carrick’s ideal set up.
