Is Alvaro Negredo the signing to keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League?

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Middlesbrough have had a great summer so far, doing some exciting transfer business, with many already tipping them to avoid relegation in their first season back in the top-flight. Alvaro Negredo is believed to be closing in on a move to Teeside. According to Gazette Live, there is a club delegation in Valencia discussing a double deal for Negredo and Antonio Barragan. Negredo’s wages could prove to be an issue and the deal for the forward is expected to take longer than the one for Barragan.

Negredo has never hit the heights that he was with Sevilla, with his spell at Valencia being hit-and-miss. He has never been a regular at the Mestalla, with Paco Alcacer being the first choice at the Spanish club. The Beast as he is commonly known still possesses a lot of quality, but he will know that a move this summer is crucial. He has been mainly a substitute over the last two seasons and at the age of 30, he will be looking to find a club where he can be the first choice.

Boro look to be a good fit for Negredo, with compatriot Aitor Karanka in charge and a hungry, dynamic group of players. Negredo can come in and offer experience at the very top of the game, which could prove invaluable to Jordan Rhodes and Kike. David Nugent has a lot of experience but doesn’t have the ability that the Spaniard possesses.

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At the moment, Boro don’t have a proven top flight goalscorer, and signing Negredo will solve that issue. Although he has only scored five league goals in each of the last two seasons, he has been mainly used as a substitute. In his last three seasons being used as a regular striker, two at Sevilla and one at Manchester City, he scored 48 goals in 98 matches, which is a great return. During his time at the Etihad, he did well in the Champions League, scoring five in eight matches, highlighting the calibre of the striker that Middlesbrough could be getting.

His experience with Manchester City will be one of the reasons Middlesbrough are targeting him, as he did well, and suited the physicality of the league. The competition for places combined with Negredo’s homesickness were the reasons he only stayed at the club for one season. The latter wasn’t as serious as made out, but he was open to a move home in the latter part of his City career. Valencia hasn’t turned out to be the best club for Negredo and a move back to England looks to be the next step.

His style of play suits England, as he is a striker with a high work rate, and is aggressive when he is on the field. He battles with defenders and uses his power to get the better of them. He is good in the air and a strong finisher with both his feet and his head. The Spaniard is relentless when on the pitch, and was well liked at Manchester City for the way he played the game. Negredo is very much similar to Diego Costa, although he isn’t quite at the Chelsea striker’s level and isn’t as much of a disciplinary risk. They are both aggressive and that is why both have had success in England.

Middlesbrough will be battling relegation and this will be new to Negredo, but the fact that he is well suited to English football and has a proven track record for goals makes him an appealing target for Boro. The club have some good wingers in Albert Adomah, Viktor Fischer, and Stewart Downing, and the aerial ability of Negredo will thrive off their service.

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Jordan Rhodes is likely to be the club’s main goal threat, but he is untested at this level, and it is a risk-reducing move from Karanka to bring in a player such as Negredo, who is more proven. There is also the possibility of playing the two in a pair, which would benefit Rhodes. The Spaniard was used as a strike partner for Sergio Aguero several times and would be a good foil for Rhodes.

Alvaro Negredo is a very good signing for Middlesbrough if they manage to complete the deal. He is proven in both England and has been a consistent goalscorer when being used regularly. At the age of 30, he is at the peak of his career and suits the style of play Middlesbrough will look to execute. Rhodes is seen as the club’s long-term starting forward, and this is why Negredo, a 30-year-old is being targeted. The Spaniard will come in, help Rhodes adjust to the Premier League and share the goal burden, but he won’t take away too many minutes from the Scottish international in the long term.

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