That will be all for this blog folks. Thanks for joining us, as always.

No live blog over the weekend, but rest assured if there is any news, there'll be a story as always on the website.

We'll return with our live coverage with a new blog on Monday, as we count down to the final friendly of the summer against Espanyol next Saturday.

We should have at least one new face in the door by that one. The way this week's gone for Boro though, don't rule out more!

Been a good week for Boro, so let's hope that continues!

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham have Taylor Harwood-Bellis on their summer shortlist.

The centre-back didn't exactly endear himself to Boro fans at the end of last season. No doubting his quality though, and it would be statement from West Ham to take such a key player from a rival.

Big story from the Championship breaking in the last hour from Telegraph.

They report that Wolves are at real risk of losing their Category 1 academy status due to concerns over their facilities.

The report says that the Black Country club are fighting it and hoping to successfully remain Category 1.

Boro, of course, are Category 1 - the top category you can be - and it is important, particularly in an age of football financial regulation compliance.

As well as entry into the PL2 competition, ensuring top-level competition for youth players as they develop, clubs are able to scout academy talent from across the country as opposed to distance restrictions otherwise. On top of that, there's protection for the players you do develop. If any top clubs come in and take them, your Cat1 status will be taken into account if there's a need for arbitration to settle compensation figures.

If you were following yesterday you may have seen the update on former Boro striker Britt Assombalongo.

He joined National League North side Harborough Town. Now, in his first interview about the move, the 33-year-old explained:

“After speaking to the Gaffer and hearing the way he spoke about the club, the staff and the players, the move made perfect sense for me at this stage of my career.

“From the minute I stepped into the building, everyone has made me feel welcome, and it was those experiences during pre-season that helped me make up my mind.

“We will take every game as it comes, and I, along with the rest of the lads, will give everything we have to help the club succeed.”

Assuming they complete the Berhalter signing, I would say:

• One more central midfielder after Alan Browne's exit
• A left-back, with Max Arfsten the top target there
• A centre-back after Dael Fry's exit, with Ashley Phillips one of a number of options being looked at
• Potentially another forward depending on exits, though Peart-Harris and Joseph can both play off the striker, while Hellberg has suggested he'll continue to use Conway from the left
• Most likely a goalkeeper, depending on the final decision made on Seny Dieng. The big question is whether that's an undisputed first-choice to displace Sol Brynn, or whether that's someone to provide competition to the Teessider

Of course, more exits will be needed too. Boro have done well to get a big fee for Hackney and have profited from Morgan Rogers' move to Chelsea from Villa.

But the squad will need to be trimmed, while helping the club cut the wage bill and potentially bring in more funds. It all matters under the Squad Cost Rules.

Clearly, Boro are bring really ambitious this summer. But, they will face serious competition for promotion, particularly from the three relegated clubs. So what are your realistic expectations for Boro this season?

As per the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have a sell-on fee for Ashley Phillips from their sale of the academy graduate to Spurs.

Boro are keen and trying to work out the terms of a deal to sign the centre-back.

If they are successful in doing so, Blackburn and Mogga will therefore benefit from a cash windfall from that sell-on fee.

Back at it for another day of transfer news and gossip, hopefully as exciting as the last few days have been.

In terms of where things stand:

• Boro are closing in on Sebastian Berhalter. The USA midfielder has travelled to Teesside to put the finishing touches on a deal that will see him join for around $1.5m
• Boro also remain keen on Max Arfsten, though, as yet, there isn't understood to be any agreement in place with Columbus Crew or Arfsten, who is said to have other options
• Boro are looking at options for centre-back too. They need one after Dael Fry's exit for Birmingham this summer. Ashley Phillips from Spurs has been linked, and is a player Boro like, but a deal is described as 'tough to do', with Boro exploring many options
• On top of that, Boro may need a GK, depending on the decision made on Seny Dieng. They will also need at least one more central midfielder and another forward is a possibility too
• More outgoings are likely too. Finley Munroe is expected to complete a League One loan move, with Blackpool the most likely to land him. Players such as George Edmundson, Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene would be allowed to leave if the deal was right, while rumours persist that Morgan Whittaker is attracting plenty of interest from the continent

The former Boro striker has signed for National League North side Harborough Town.

Most recently, the 33-year-old had a spell in League Two with Barnet.

But, after scoring just one goal in 16 appearances and leaving last season, he's signed a deal to join the Leicestershire based club.

For those who'd fancy rolling back the years, it means he'll make visits to Darlington, Spennymoor, Scarborough, Hebburn and South Shields next term!

That's according to Alan Nixon.

He says Burnley are offering a loan deal with an obligation to buy for the former Boro striker.

Remember, he was left out of Atlanta's team yesterday, with the sporting director confirming conversations with clubs over a transfer.

• He came through the academy at Columbus Crew, making his breakthrough alongside Aidan Morris
• Born in London, he is the son of former Crystal Palace defender Gregg Berhalter
• He joined Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022 and in 167 appearances has 20 goals and 26 assists
• He's considered a more attack-minded midfielder, who can play a forward pass, hit a good long-range effort, and is said to good on set pieces
• Capped 18 times by the USA, including five appearances at this summer's World Cup, where he caught the eye
• He got a goal and an assist in the loss to Turkey in their final grouo stage match (go and watch his goal if you've not seen it yet!
• He was due to be out of contract at Vancouver in five months and, rather than lose him on a free, they've decided to sell now, with the deal agreed said to be worth roughly $1.5m in total

Hands up on this one. Asked earlier in the summer and was told nothing in it, with rumours spreading amid his social media activity.

Seems at that time Boro didn't think they were in the race, given the calibre of clubs interested. Encouraged to make their pitch though, they've managed to convince him.

A lot of excitement about this one from club officials.

Major breaking news for you... Boro are closing in on a deal to sign USA World Cup star Sebastian Berhalter, Teesside Live understands.

They're said to be beating many top European clubs to his signature this summer, as they near a deal with Vancouver Whitecaps.

More on this one to follow...

Spurs U21 boss Wayne Burnett has just shared a text message echange he's had with Will Lankshear following his move from Spurs to Boro. In it, Lankshear messages to say:

"Hi Wayne, Just wanted to send you a message to say thank you for everything you have done with me. You have had such a big role in my journey at Spurs,, and I'll always remember that.

"You shaped me into the number nine I am today and I'm so appreciative of that. Will always be keeping an eye out. P.S. Frame of the goal!!!"

A lovely touch from the new Boro man.

Boro just put out this training video, with the new man in the thick of the action on his first full day.

Also worth noting, in the background, you can see Alfie Jones and Riley McGree doing a drill seperate from the main group. Didn't spot Joseph in there, but an indication that they aren't yet quite in full training with the rest of the Boro squad after being spotted doing some drills recently.

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The former Boro man is said to be close to finalising his move to Watford.

Sky Sports reporting he's flying in today to undergo his medical.

The midfielder is one of three Udinese players Watford were trying to sign, having already signed one earlier in the window. The two clubs are owned by the same group.

Martin Payero of Middlesbrough(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/REX/Shutterstock)

According to colleagues at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn Rovers are keen on Alan Browne, who spent last season on loan at Boro.

They report Rovers are keen, but there is a lot of interest from Championship clubs and it's a difficult deal to do.

Unlikely to be resolved soon, with Browne currently part of Sunderland's squad in the USA.

He's one Boro did consider re-signing. The last update was that they were considering other options though, and his return was unlikely.

Hull City's chairman has always been a bit different, it's fair to say. This is one way to shut down whatever speculation has irked him...

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Speaking to the club website, he said:

“I'm really delighted to be here. It's such a big club and I can't wait to get started.

“It's been a little bit chaotic but there's just excitement really. I couldn't wait to come up, get started, meet everyone and I'm really buzzing to be here.

“Middlesbrough is such a massive club. I deem it to be a Premier League club. The project here really excites me. I can't wait to get started, help, be part of the journey and get the club back to where it belongs.

“I feel like now is the best time of my career. I'm ready to take responsibility, hit the ground running and help this club.”

While Arfsten may have been involved in Columbus Crew's return to MLS action last night, one man who wasn't involved for the league restart after the World Cup was former Boro striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

He was absent as Atlanta United drew 2-2 with Charlotte.

News outlet Scarves and Stripes carry quotes from sporting director Chris Henderson, who says:

“We’re having a few conversations around him, and so out of precaution we’ve kept him out of this game. That’s about the extent of what I’m going to say about it at the moment.”

Latte Lath has struggled since his £22.5m move to the States from Boro.

Emmanuel Latte Lath of Atlanta reacts(Image: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Which leads us on nicely to Boro's top left-back target Max Arftsen.

In an interview earlier this week, he didn't exactly shut down suggestions of a move, and admitted it was his dream to play in Europe, and that he felt ready to do so.

As yet, however, Boro have not agreed a fee with Columbus Crew for the left-back, while it's understood there are a number of clubs interested in him this summer.

Max Arfsten is playing for the United States at the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)

The former Boro loanee's move to Hull City has been confirmed this morning.

The left-back has signed a two-year contract, with the option for a further year. He was available on a free after leaving Newcastle United this summer, following the conclusion of his loan.

For Boro, the fact they want a different profile of full-back this summer (attack-minded Max Arftsen is their no.1 target) meant they didn't pursue a deal with Targett.

Of his move, Targett said: “I’m delighted to be here. It was during the England game on Saturday night that my agent rang me and said Hull City were interested.

“The next minute, I was on a phone call with the owner. He is very invested in the football club and speaks very passionately, so it didn’t take much convincing to join.

“Speaking to boys who have been here previously, they spoke very highly of the club, so it was a no-brainer.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge, but we can take huge confidence from what the likes of Sunderland and Leeds did last season.

“I’m at an age now where I feel like I am an experienced head to pass on previous experience of the Premier League to players who have not been in this situation. I’m hoping I’ll be a huge help in the dressing room.

“It’s a great group, very welcoming and easy to fit in. I played with Jack Butland at England youth level – he’s the only one I knew coming into the team.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and hopefully we can get the place rocking for the new season.”

Middlesbrough's Matt Targett(Image: Tom Banks)

Hello and welcome to a new day and a new transfer blog.

As ever, we'll be keeping you up to date with all the latest transfer news and gossip surrounding Middlesbrough, with a bit of Championship news thrown in.

Boro secured the signing of Will Lankshear yesterday, and we're told they're progressing well on further deals.