Derby County and Millwall Fight for Middlesbrough Midfielder’s Signature

Derby County and Millwall Fight for Middlesbrough Midfielder’s Signature

EFL Championship sides Derby County and Millwall are competing to sign 28-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder Daniel Barlaser, according to Leigh Curtis & Craig Johns.

Rob Edwards has had the perfect start to life as Boro coach, winning all four of his Championship matches. Barlaser is yet to appear for the second-tier leaders despite playing 23 matches under Michael Carrick last campaign.

Joint exclusive with @LeighCurtis_DT 🤝

Derby County one of two Championship clubs to show interest in Dan Barlaser. #Boro open to an exit https://t.co/RuYey1PMs4

— Craig Johns (@craig_johns) September 1, 2025

Uninterested Rob Edwards Allows Midfielder to Leave

Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney are both favoured in Boro’s starting eleven. Abdoulaye Kante and Law McCabe also seemingly further up the central midfield pecking order.

Barlaser is heading into the final year of his contract at the Riverside, and would bring rich experience and smart passing ability to either of the two interested bidders.

Both Derby and Millwall are in search of a ball-playing number six, with Barlaser a fitting option. The former Turkish & English youth international would find a lot more game time at both outfits, who will no doubt be targeting a mid-table finish compared to Boro’s title hopes.

The Rams were linked with Barlaser back in January in an attempt to reunite him with former Rotherham boss Paul Warne. Derby, now under John Eustace, remains interested in the midfielder’s efforts as a man with over 100 appearances at Championship level.

What a volley this is! 🤯

Daniel Barlaser pulled off a sensational volley earlier today 👏 pic.twitter.com/AjEqn4Mjhl

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2022

Derby have already brought in plenty of quality midfielders this season in the shape of Lewis Travis, David Ozoh, and Bobby Clark. Barlaser would bring even more squad depth to Derby, who currently hover above the relegation zone.

Millwall have also added the likes of Massimo Luongo and Derek Mazou-Sacko to play in the middle of the park.