'Middlesbrough Transfer News: Midfielder joins Hartlepool, Tony Pulis Identifying January Targets'

If transfer rumours are to give us any clue, the January transfer window is promised to be an extremely busy period for Middlesbrough FC.

As confirmed by the Boro manager himself, Tony Pulis held talks with chairman Steve Gibson earlier this week, with January transfer window on their agenda.

Pulis has confirmed in the last few weeks that he has no doubt that Middlesbrough will be strengthened in the attacking department with the window re-opens in January.

The manager has further pointed out that while the aim was the same in the summer transfer window, eye-watering demands from players and their representatives left the club with no chance of signing them.

Apart from highlighting the areas he thinks his team needs to be strengthened in, Pulis has also underlined the need of why he is urging for more signings than in the summer.

He believes that had his side got one or more deals over the line in the summer, the recent hiccup in their form – which has seen Boro draw three successive games in the League – might have been avoided.

"Even when the window closed a few months back we were trying to get players in who we couldn't get in and they were in certain positions that would have helped us now," says Pulis.

Still, while Middlesbrough were unable to land their key targets, that hasn’t stopped them from mounting a promotion challenge, sitting just 2 points behind leaders Leeds United in the Championship. Pulis, despite calling for more signings, acknowledged that Boro are in a good place.

"We're in a really good position in the league, a really good position in the League Cup, so we've got lots to play for before the window opens."

Tyrone O’Neill joins Hartlepool

While the incomings might only start once the window opens in January, outgoings have already started, with the under-23s striker Tyrone O’Neill joining Hartlepool on loan until the end of December.

Having featured regularly for the Boro Under-23s this season, the Grangetown-born forward has also started all three games in the Checkatrade Trophy for the Under-21s this season. He was a member of the team which created history by defeating Burton Albion through the week.

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Looking ahead at his loan spell with the National League side, O’Neill might not have to wait long to make his debut for the club provided manager Matthew Bates nominates him in his squad which will face Gillingham in the first round of the FA Cup tomorrow.