Middlesbrough eyeing second Plymouth Argyle player after Morgan Whittaker | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are reportedly targeting Plymouth Argyle defender Bali Mumba after having a bid accepted for his team-mate Morgan Whittaker.

Middlesbrough have already targeted one Plymouth Argyle player this month in forward Morgan Whittaker, but they are also reportedly plotting a move for his teammate Bali Mumba.

That's according to journalist Graham Bailey, who claims that Middlesbrough are "showing interest" in defender Mumba, and he could potentially follow Whittaker to the Riverside Stadium.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie claimed that Boro have had an £8 million bid for Whittaker accepted by Plymouth, and he is set to travel to Teesside for a medical over the weekend if personal terms can be agreed, but the club could also decide to make a move for Mumba.

Mumba has registered two assists in 30 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims this season, starting all but two league games, but the Championship's bottom side could be vulnerable to losing him this month.

Boro currently sit fifth in the table, and having already re-signed Ryan Giles on loan from Hull City, they have also agreed a deal to bring Ipswich Town defender George Edmundson back to the club, but that is unlikely to be the end of their January transfer business, with Whittaker and Mumba both seemingly in their sights.

Middlesbrough interested in Plymouth Argyle defender Bali Mumba

Mumba initially joined Plymouth on loan from Norwich City in July 2022, and after he helped them to the League One title in the 2022-23 season, the move was made permanent the following summer for a fee of around £1 million, which equalled Argyle's transfer record at the time.

The 23-year-old, who is capable of playing on either side of the defence, has seamlessly made the step-up to the Championship with Argyle, and while his side have struggled defensively this season - conceding an alarming 60 league goals so far - he has continued to impress on an individual level.

It seems that Middlesbrough are not the only club keeping tabs on Mumba as, according to Leeds United News, Leeds sent a scout to watch the defender in action in Plymouth's 1-0 win at Brentford in the FA Cup earlier this month, and they are weighing up whether to make a bid before the end of the January transfer window.

With their attempts to sign Whittaker progressing well, Boro will likely be concentrating on sealing that deal first, particularly amid reports that Burnley are considering matching their offer for the forward, but they could soon turn their attention to Mumba.

As Edmundson and Whittaker close in on moves to the Riverside Stadium, one player heading out of the exit door is defender Lukas Engel, who is set to join MLS side FC Cincinnati on loan, and his departure could potentially free up space in the squad for Mumba to arrive.

Middlesbrough should be careful over potential Bali Mumba move

It is easy to see why Mumba is attracting interest from clubs higher up the Championship, and a move to Middlesbrough could appeal to the defender as it would give him the opportunity to return to his native North East having grown up in South Shields.

However, as Boro have two fit right-backs on their books in Luke Ayling and Anfernee Dijksteel, and three available left-backs in Giles, Neto Borges and George McCormick, it is difficult to see the need for them to sign Mumba at this point, and they should consider whether their budget could be better spent on other areas of the team.

Carrick may view Mumba as Ayling's long-term replacement at right-back, and making a bid now could allow them to steal a march on Leeds in the race for his signature, but there are question marks over whether he would be a starter at the Riverside Stadium immediately.