Middlesbrough: Rotherham midfielder Dan Barlaser is key January target

Barlaser, who will enter the final six months of his current deal with the Millers at the start of next month, is one of Boro’s key targets ahead of next month’s transfer window.

The 25-year-old central midfielder has been in the Teessiders’ sights for a number of months, with head coach Michael Carrick happy to sanction a January move as he looks to strengthen his central-midfield options.

• READ: Isaiah Jones can build on his 'great Middlesbrough moments'

While Hayden Hackney has been Boro’s breakthrough star this season, Carrick is keen to ensure the 20-year-old does not burn out through playing too much football during his first full campaign in the first team. Similarly, while Jonny Howson continues to roll back the years in his defensive-midfield role, there is an acceptance that the 34-year-old, who was only handed a one-year deal in the summer, will not be able to maintain his current standards forever.

Gateshead-born Barlaser, who started his career in Newcastle United’s youth set-up before joining Rotherham in 2020, is regarded as an appealing long-term option who could slot into Boro’s first-team group seamlessly at the turn of the year.

He boasts extensive experience, having made almost 150 senior appearances for the Millers, and has started all 22 of his club’s Championship matches this term.

Unsurprisingly, Rotherham boss Matt Taylor is desperate to hold on to him next month, but given Barlaser’s contract situation, there is also an acceptance that it makes financial sense to cash in at the start of next year rather than wait until the summer, when he will be able to leave for nothing at the end of his current deal.

Barlaser has been offered an extension to his current deal but, tellingly, it remains unsigned, with the midfielder seemingly keen to assess his options elsewhere.

Middlesbrough will be able to offer a significant increase on his current earnings in South Yorkshire, and are set to make a formal move once the transfer window officially reopens at the turn of the year.

The Teessiders have already conducted one successful piece of transfer business with Rotherham in recent seasons, having signed Matt Crooks from the Millers in the summer of 2021.

As well as pursuing Barlaser, Boro are also lining up a January approach to Sunderland for Ross Stewart, although the Black Cats will be fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their leading scorer, who is currently still sidelined with a thigh problem.

Like Barlaser, Stewart is about to enter the final six months of his current contract, however unlike in the case of the Rotherham midfielder, Sunderland have an option to extend the striker’s deal by another 12 months.

Middlesbrough are lining up a January move for Sunderland striker Ross Stewart (Image: Ian Horrocks)

Ideally, they would prefer to tie him down to an entirely-new longer-term contract, but while discussions have taken place with Stewart and his representatives, talks remain ongoing.

Boro will hope to be able to exploit the current stand-off by tabling an offer of their own next month, with the Teessiders’ financial firepower potentially enabling them to trump whatever Sunderland are able to place on the table.

While Boro made attacking additions in the summer, bringing in Marcus Forss, Matthew Hoppe and Rodrigo Muniz, there is still a feeling that the club lack an established number nine capable of leading the line for a number of seasons.

Stewart would fit the bill, having starred at League One level last term and proven himself in the Championship before breaking down with a thigh problem during the warm-up ahead of September’s Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside.

Boro also continue to be linked with Cameron Archer, with the youngster set to leave Aston Villa on loan in the second half of the season after finding his opportunities for first-team action at Villa Park severely limited during the first half of the campaign.