Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk has identified Chelsea youngster Lewis Baker as the man to replace outgoing Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon according to the Gazette Live.
De Roon has been allowed to leave The Riverside Stadium after a little over 12 months on Teesside with the player returning to former club Atalanta in a deal reportedly worth up to £14 million.
With Boro now looking for a replacement for de Roon, it has been reported that the club are eyeing a move for Chelsea midfielder Baker. The 22-year-old Luton born midfield ace is rated very highly by his club but could be permitted to leave Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan deal to ensure that he continues his development with regular first team football.
Baker has been tipped as a future England international by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho and has impressed when out on loan in recent seasons.
The midfielder has made just one first team appearance for Chelsea to date while he has spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons and Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem. Baker scored 15 goals in 39 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit last term which includes a number of spectacular long range efforts.
Baker is more than capable of starring in the Sky Bet Championship and Boro are thought to be confident of fending off several clubs to secure the player’s signature.
