Wed Aug 18, 2021 2:29 pm
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has firmed up his interest in Swansea City's Jake Bidwell by making an enquiry over his availability.
The former City boss has made no secret of his desire to sign a left-sided defender before August 31, with Cardiff's Ciaron Brown initially high up on his transfer wishlist.
Quizzed on his plans yesterday, Warnock said : "Something is close. I'm hoping to put a left-sided player into the squad this week.
"It will give us some help."
He then name-checked Bidwell specifically.
“I think I just have to keep whatever I can to myself about the targets, I don’t like talking about players at other clubs," Warnock added.
“Jake is a good player but there are so many others we are looking at in that area. If (Marc) Bola does det injured at the moment we have lost all the left-sided lads at the back and we need somebody in that area.
“I know Pelts (Lee Peltier) can play there in a back four but not in a back five. I’ve just got to look at what there is available and try and anticipate the sort of injuries we had last year which sort of killed us.”
Boro's pursuit of Bidwell all but ends their interest in Brown, who is currently on the sidelines anyway. McCarthy will be happy with developments, especially in light of his comments last week.
"Warny is not daft by the way! He is double cute! He has been around a lot longer than me," McCarthy said.
"He sees Ciaron Brown as exactly what he did for us last year; left-sided centre-back, left-back and left wing-back.
"If he can get him for what he’s bidding then he’s got a very good player… so why the bloody hell should I sell him to Warny?! Or let him go there unless the recompense gives me the chance to replace him.
"If not, it’s not happening. I can’t be any straighter than that."