Middlesbrough have their sights firmly set on a Premier League return this season after a decade away, and one January move for a player starring in League One right now could seal their dream.

Having missed out on promotion by the skin of their teeth last time around, Middlesbrough and head coach Kim Hellberg will be hoping to put things right this year.

The likes of Will Lankshear, Jeremy Sarmiento, Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, and Amario Cozier-Duberry joined over the summer to reinforce Boro's options in the final third, already adding to a forward line containing each of Tommy Conway, David Strelec, and Leo Castledine, though the latter could well be edging closer to a January exit if his situation remains unchanged.

Castledine, 21, came through the ranks of Chelsea and made one senior appearance for the Blues before heading out on loan to both Shrewsbury Town and Huddersfield Town in League One, shining in the latter.

The attacking midfielder would catch the eye during his six-month stint in West Yorkshire, scoring 12 and assisting five in 27 appearances across all competitions, and tempting Championship outfit Middlesbrough into parting ways with a fee of just under £1 million for the Englishman in January 2026.

Castledine penned a four-year deal on Teesside upon his arrival, but has since struggled to nail down a place in Hellberg's starting XI on Teesside, starting just four games in the following 9 months, and racking up just 17 appearances across all competitions.

It would be fair to suggest the 21-year-old has yet to stamp his authority since moving to Boro, and if he continues to struggle for minutes, a January exit could be on the cards, as Boro could use Castledine to their advantage.

Middlesbrough could use Leo Castledine as a sweetener to secure a deal for Huddersfield Town star Derensili Sanches Fernandes in January

With the January window just a couple of months away, teams across the EFL will be preparing to do some much-needed business, as fringe players move on and star players earn big moves elsewhere.

In the case of Castledine, his lack of minutes will be doing his development no good, and an exit, either on loan or permanently in January, could be the best thing for him, and Huddersfield would surely have him back in any way, shape or form if at all possible.

However, Boro may want something from the deal too, as Dutch forward Derensili Sanches Fernandes is a player bound to have caught the eye of numerous teams in the Championship and across Europe for his performances for the Terriers, and surely won't be in the English third tier for much longer.

Derensili Sanches Fernandes is having an incredible season with Huddersfield Town following his summer arrival

Sanches Fernandes, 25, joined Huddersfield in the summer from Dutch top-flight outfit Excelsior for a 'significant' fee, penning a four-year deal with the Terriers, and so far, looks worth every penny.

Having spent the majority of his career in the Dutch second tier, Sanches Fernandes helped to keep Excelsior in the Eredivisie last season with six goals and three assists in 33 league appearances, and arrived in West Yorkshire over the summer as one of Martin Drury's marquee signings.

With five goals and four assists in ten League One appearances so far, Sanches Fernandes has been one of the division's most outstanding players at this stage, and if he continues with this level of performance, he surely won't be with the Terriers for much longer.

The Dutchman looks a cut above the rest of the competition, and having signed a four-year deal at the ACCU Stadium, Huddersfield are in a strong negotiating position when it comes to a potential sale of Sanches Fernandes, but despite this, may have no choice but to part ways if an acceptable bid comes their way, especially from Middlesbrough.

What have you made of Derensili Sanches Fernandes so far? How much should Huddersfield realistically command for his services? Would he be a good fit for Middlesbrough? Share your thoughts below!

Middlesbrough will have their sights set on the Premier League this year, and if they find themselves in a position where they need a little push come January, someone like Sanches Fernandes could come onto their radar.

With Castledine's lack of minutes and his connection with Huddersfield, a return to West Yorkshire ought to be on the cards, as Boro could use the Englishman as a sweetener to secure a blockbuster deal for Sanches Fernades.

With Cozier-Duberry only on loan and no guarantee of signing for Boro permanently, the Dutchman could be Hellberg's long-term option in that area, and could be the final piece of the puzzle his side needs to secure their long-awaited Premier League return.