Middlesbrough have been looking to add some goalkeeper depth with their top two keepers having been out for a while. They have been looking for a loan move to accomplish this objective, and it looks like they are well on their way to accomplishing said goal.
Mark Travers, who has been a very solid keeper in both the Premier League and Championship, is the subject of a loan move that the Boro have been rumoured to be eying during the transfer window.
According to Pete O’Rourke, talks are in the advanced stages for the Irish international to make a move to the northeast for the rest of the season. The shot stopper has been mostly on the bench for Bournemouth this season and is keen to have more first team exposure. With Middlesbrough down to their third-string goalkeeper, Travers would more than likely be thrust right into the action.
Will Travers Make an Instant Impact?
Middlesbrough have been without their top two options between the sticks for a little over a month now, and it shows. The Teesiders have only won once in their last seven matches in all competitions. While this has not been all on Tom Glover, Boro’s third-string goalkeeper, he definitely has not been up to the task in certain circumstances.
Middlesbrough have been in winning positions in almost every single one of the matches they have lost in this poor run of form, but they concede goals that cost them points consistently. A solid goalkeeper that the defence feels like they can trust could only be a good thing.
Travers has been a very safe pair of hands in whatever situation he’s been playing at. While his clean sheet numbers are not the highest, the 25-year-old definitely limits the goals the opposition scores. This season, in five starts, he has allowed five goals, has made 20 saves, and has one clean sheet.
For a Premier League backup, those numbers are not bad, and they are definitely part of the reason Middlesbrough are intent on bringing Travers in to improve the squad.
Michael Carrick has been vocal about his intent to improve his goalkeeping options, as well as his desire for this window to improve the squad for the home stretch. With Carrick’s Teesiders in the thick of the play-off race, Travers would likely be an instant boost to Middlesbrough’s hopes.
A Chance to Prove Himself
Travers has been a long time Bournemouth player, and he has been on loan at Swindon Town and Stoke City. However, a loan move to Middlesbrough might be a chance for Travers to make a case he should be the starting keeper for Andoni Iraola’s side.
A sustained amount of playing time on a contending Championship team might be the opportunity needed to even push for playing time internationally.
While Bournemouth might be in good form currently, fans believe Travers should be the one in between the sticks. If the deal goes through, Travers has to take advantage of this opportunity with Boro if he wants to be a Premier League player.
While it is not official yet Middlesbrough needs his kind of skills, so the move would certainly benefit both parties. It is definitely a move that could turn Middlesbrough’s fortunes around if everything goes well.