Middlesbrough’s summer transfer window is heating up, and as Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg prepares for his first pre-season on Teesside, a player linked with a move to the Riverside has broken his silence on the speculations.

Middlesbrough and head coach Kim Hellberg will be eager to put that setback behind them as they prepare for another push to the top flight next year.

Myles Peart-Harris came on a free transfer after being released by Oxford United, and Kyle Joseph joined for £5 million from Hull City. Borough had expressed an interest in former Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin, but his £9 million transfer to Southampton was announced earlier this week.

Samuel Silvera, Alex Gilbert, Darragh Lenihan, and Dael Fry have all left the club at the end of their contracts, with the latter signing with division rivals Birmingham City. However, the most significant deal they have been involved in this summer is the potential £25 million transfer of Hayden Hackney to Everton.

Hackney, 24, will be nearly tough to replace, but a potential midfield target moving to Teesside has already broken the quiet on those rumours.

Middlesbrough target Otto Rosengren says that having a Swedish coach overseas would be a key factor in a move.

Hackney’s departure leaves a significant vacancy in Boro’s midfield, and his presence on and off the pitch will be extremely difficult to replace.

The Englishman made 154 appearances for his hometown club before leaving for Merseyside this summer, with his departure almost certain if Borough failed to win promotion.

Few would envy Hellberg’s chore of finding a player capable of filling his shoes, but a midfield target has finally spoken out about his interest in the club.

Otto Rosengren, a Swedish midfielder, rose up through the ranks of Sweden’s current champions Mjallby before joining Malmo in 2023, where he has scored nine goals and assisted 14 in 107 games.

Rosengren will be a familiar name to Hellberg, as Expressen reported earlier this week that Middlesbrough are interested in the 23-year-old, who has competition from German Bundesliga team 1. FC Koln.

Fotbollskanalen, a Swedish publication, has recently published an interview with the midfielder in which he has responded to links to Teesside, saying: “Nothing concrete right now, so I’m focusing on Malmö and the next match against Kalmar.” I am here right now, and I think it is a lot of fun to be here. Then I want to continue winning.”If a concrete and interesting idea arises, we will proceed accordingly.It goes without saying that having Swedish trainers when you move overseas would have been really beneficial.

Indeed, Rosengren has made it obvious that Hellberg might play an important part in any formal move this summer, as the 38-year-old hopes to bring a compatriot to the club.

However, the midfielder closed the interview by allowing Koln to consider a move, saying: “I believe the German league would have suited me well. Moving overseas is obviously something you aspire to do. That is how it is for the majority of players.

Though no cost has been disclosed, Transfermarkt puts him at roughly €3 million, and with less than 18 months remaining on his current contract with Malmo, a proposal in the range may be considered acceptable.

Middlesbrough will be looking to use its Swedish head coach to their advantage as they compete for his services with Koln, while the search for Hackney’s replacement continues.

Kim Hellberg can play a major role in negotiations for Otto Rosengren this summer, after the midfielder’s most recent statements.

Rosengren’s move to Middlesbrough appears to be dependent on Hellberg, with the chance to work with a compatriot overseas being an admittedly appealing option for the midfielder.

The 23-year-old has yet to play outside of his home nation in his career, so having someone who can help him adjust to a new country and division would be quite advantageous.

With Koln on the horizon, they will face stiff competition for Hellberg’s services, as Hellberg might be a vital part in any Borough transfer this summer.