Middlesbrough now confident of signing “elite” player with 21 World Cup caps
Middlesbrough are making a move in the transfer market, after missing out on promotion to the Championship last season.
Boro lost to Hull City at Wembley, following the Spygate scandal, but Kim Hellberg will be looking to right the wrongs of last campaign.
To do that, Hellberg will need to build a team capable of winning promotion, and he has the task of bringing in a replacement for Matt Targett, who was a key player last season, with the left-back making 42 Championship appearances.
Columbus Crew star Max Arfsten, who played one time for the USA at the World Cup, has emerged as a possible target, and there are encouraging signs that a deal is possible.
Middlesbrough are confident of signing Max Arfsten
According to TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough are now confident of signing Arfsten in the next few weeks, and negotiations have been progressing well.
Targett has been attracting interest from West Ham United and Hull City, with the defender now a free agent, meaning the Columbus Crew are now a key target, alongside AEK Athens left-back James Penrice.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
Targett’s imminent departure means it will be important to sign a new left-back, with Middlesbrough said to be interested in Arfsten since last year. |
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Finance |
It is not clear what kind of money the MLS club would want for the defender, but Boro had a bid of £2.25m made last summer, which gives a hint. |
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Understanding |
The 25-year-old has amassed 21 caps for the USMNT, so he is an international player, and has been impressive at club level. Despite reports that Boro are targeting him as a left-back, the USA star is primarily used as a left-back by Columbus Crew, scoring four goals and five assists in 15 MLS games in the 2026 season. |
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Impact |
As noted, the California-born ace is being targeted as a direct replacement for Target, and that is likely, as he has featured as a left-back on occasion. In addition, Hellberg used full-backs last season, meaning Arfsten plays less forward. |
Max Arfsten could be an exciting signing for Boro
The MLS star has had a chance to prove himself in England, as he has emerged as one of the Columbus Crew’s most valuable players over the past few years, with 20 goals and 20 assists in 112 games.
Journalist Joseph Lowery also praised his collaboration on many issues, saying: “I’ve been thinking about Max Arfsten since Ben put this in the mega-MLS column on Monday. Having a quality, two-footed defender who can play on both sides? Yeah, that’s the cheat code in a salary cap league.”
The Boro target loves to drive into opposing defences, averaging 2.7 successful drives per 90 in the 2026 MLS season, 0.9 more than any other member of the Columbus Crew.
Therefore, Arfsten could be the most exciting signing for Middlesbrough from an attacking point of view.
