Middlesbrough FC, West Ham and Southampton 'keen' on Leeds United-linked Hibs star Josh Mulligan
Middlesbrough named among admirers of Leeds United-linked Hibs midfielder Josh Mulligan
Middlesbrough are reportedly keen on luring midfielder Josh Mulligan from Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian.
The 23-year-old swapped Dundee for Hibs last year and has made significant strides during his short time at Easter Road.
A former Scotland youth international, the midfielder enjoyed a strong maiden campaign in Edinburgh and received his first senior Tartan Army call-up back in October.
Middlesbrough ‘keen’ on Hibs star
Leeds have been repeatedly linked with Mulligan and in January, it was suggested they could make a summer move for his signature. If the Whites do look to swoop for Mulligan, they could find themselves in quite the transfer tussle.
Mail Online have claimed Middlesbrough are keen on Mulligan as they prepare for the potential departure of Hayden Hackney, who is in Everton’s sights.
Southampton have also been named as admirers amid interest from Leeds in their Northern Irish star Shea Charles.
Mulligan is also said to be on the radar of West Ham United, who are supposedly anticipating a spate of departures after their relegation from the Premier League.
Josh Mulligan’s profile
A central midfielder by trade, Mulligan can also operate on the right flank or at full-back. In 2021, during a loan spell at Peterhead, he was likened to Premier League icon Gareth Bale by his teammate Simon Ferry.
Ferry said: “He’s a Rolls-Royce like Gareth Bale - powerful, strong, direct. He’s a machine at that age. He wants to learn, listens to you.”
If Middlesbrough lose Hackney to one of his Premier League suitors, the heart of their midfield will be a key area of focus when it comes to recruitment.
With a move seemingly on the cards for their academy graduate, it would be wise for the Teessiders to start putting early plans in place to ensure the gap is plugged.