Potential Rangers twist plus Championship boss takes swipe at Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Derby County: News and transfer rumours

Boro completed the signing of former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom last week but are looking to make a few more additions before next month’s deadline.

Here are some of the latest transfer stories concerning the Teessiders and some of their league rivals.

Potential Jordan Jones twist

One player who has been repeatedly linked with Boro over the last few months is former playmaker Jordan Jones.

The 25-year-old came through the ranks on Teesside before leaving the club in 2016 and getting his career back on track in Scotland.

Jones appeared to be surplus to requirements at Rangers a few weeks ago, with Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough saying the player had been told he could leave Ibrox.

Boro, QPR and Preston have all been credited with interest in Jones who made just 15 appearances for Rangers last season.

Yet the midfielder, and team-mate Cedric Itten, were picked out by Gers boss Steven Gerrard after coming off the bench in Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League qualifying win over Willem II.

“I thought our subs were positive,” Gerrard told RangersTV after the match. “JJ, you can see, giving us that oxygen at the end, he looked a real threat and Ceddy was holding it up for us, trying to be that link man.”

Championship boss takes swipe at rivals

Boro boss Neil Warnock has previously pointed out they are no longer the biggest spenders in the Championship and will have to cut their cloth accordingly.

The Teessiders haven’t been the busiest second-tier club this summer but have signed four players after letting several players leave the club.

In contrast, Preston are yet to make a single signing this transfer window and manager Alex Neil is surprised at some of the deals which have been completed.

“I’m looking at teams like Nottingham Forest – they have just signed Harry Arter, Jack Colback, Lyle Taylor, they have been signing players left, right and centre,” said Neil ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Stoke.

“I’m hearing Middlesbrough were trying to not spend lots of money and dial things back, but they’ve just bought Chuba Akpom for £2-and-half million so that doesn’t look to me as if they’re dialling it back.

“Derby were meant to be dialling it back – they have just gone and signed Jordon Ibe, who won’t be cheap, and a Polish international after we beat them in the cup. So I think everybody is talking that talk; I don’t think their actions are backing it up.”

Defender joins Boro’s academy

Finally teenage defender Tyler Williams has joined Boro's Academy set-up.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who stands at 6 ft 4 tall, was on trial at Rockliffe and will now link up with Graeme Lee's under-23 side.

Williams has previously been in the academies at Burnley, Oldham and Preston, and joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stalybridge Celtic earlier this summer.

The defender posted on Twitter: "Excited to announce that I have signed my first professional contract with Boro. Looking forward to the future at an amazing club."

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