Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has spoken of his admiration for Hull City defender Alfie Jones, as the 27-year-old Bristolian edges closer to a move to the Riverside Stadium.
City have agreed a deal with Boro which is thought to be in the region of £3m, and Jones is set to travel to Teesside to finalise his move from the MKM Stadium.
Boro followers have become increasingly frustrated with the club yet to make a signing this summer, but Edwards says the club are working hard on new arrivals with Jones set to be amongst the first arrivals.
“He’s a player I admire, but there are many players we’ve been linked with who I admire,” Edwards told Teesside Live. “Right now, he’s a Hull City player at the moment, so I don’t want to say too much. He’s a very good player, though.”
Like City fans, Boro followers are frustrated at the lack of movement with the new season only two weeks away, and the ex-Luton chief had a message for supporters as they continue to work on sealing Jones’ move to the Riverside, amongst others.
“The guys are still working really hard on things. We’re hoping to get a few reinforcements in. But, like I said at the weekend as well, there’s a number of parties involved with every deal, and sometimes one can really slow things down.
“It’s a little bit frustrating in one or two areas, but my focus then has to be on the group we’ve got here at the moment and work really hard with those guys. I suppose my message to supporters right now would be: Be patient with it, trust everyone is working really hard, and the plan is there. It’s just taking a little longer than I suppose people have been used to in the past.
“Come the weekend, we’re two weeks away from the start of the season, so we are getting close. Everyone’s aware of that. There is a lot of hard work going on. I know some people will be frustrated. In any window, supporters want to see new faces coming in and improvement in the group.
“We feel the same as well. The lads are working really hard, and I think we’re seeing bits of improvement. They’re learning what we want. But, of course, one or two new faces always helps. It’s not just the supporters, it also lifts the lads there in the dressing room as well.”
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