Kesler-Hayden impressed last season at Preston, where he scooped the young player and player of the season awards, but the 22-year-old is expected to be allowed to leave Aston Villa on a permanent deal this summer.
Coventry City and Southampton have both been linked with the defender, who is one of the players on Boro’s radar.
However, while Boro have identified leading targets in several positions, the recruitment team have acknowledged the need to be open-minded at full-back, and will act depending on the preferences of the incoming head coach.
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With Anfernee Dijksteel having left the club, Luke Ayling is Boro’s only recognised senior right-back, but the former Leeds United man struggled for form and fitness last term and is entering the final 12 months of his deal.
Strengthening at right-back was identified as a priority by the club’s recruitment team, with Kesler-Hayden unsurprisingly featuring in their thinking on the back of his impressive campaign with North End.
But with Villa facing PSR problems in the coming weeks, the Premier League side will reportedly ask for as much as £5m for the defender.
Quizzed on his future in May, Kesler-Hayden said: “I think it depends. If I was coming to the end of my contract there [at Villa], then I’d probably have more say.
“But the reality is I’m not. So while you’re in the contract, obviously there’s not too much that I can do and it’s just up to them on my future and what that holds. We’ll see.”
As well as strengthening at full-back, Boro’s recruitment team have identified centre-back, central midfield, attacking midfield and up-front as other areas they’ll prioritise this summer.
But the immediate focus is obviously on the appointment of a head coach.
Boro officials have spent this week speaking to candidates. Club chiefs are keen to make an appointment as soon as possible to ensure the new man in charge has plenty of time to get settled before the players report back for the start of pre-season.
Meanwhile, Boro have confirmed a pre-season friendly against Bradford City. The game, at the University of Bradford Stadium, will take place on Wednesday, July 23 (7pm).
It follows confirmation of friendlies against Rangers and Hartlepool next month.
Boro have also confirmed the squad will head to Portugal for a week-long training camp.
