The former Leeds boss has wasted no time in stamping his authority on his new squad after reportedly telling local boy Stewart Downing he can leave the club on a free transfer. Downing has largely disappointed since joining his hometown club from West Ham 2 years ago and was linked with a move away in January.
Several Boro players have been linked with exits following their relegation from the Premier League, including Marten De Roon, Viktor Fischer, Adama Traore and Ben Gibson.
Dutchman De Roon is understood to be interesting Lazio but reports claim that they are looking to loan the player for the season before paying to make the deal permanent next year, something which Middlesbrough will not entertain. Fischer enured a frustrating season, the former Ajax man struggled to put a run of games together and when he did manage to forces his way into the side he picked up an ankle injury. Rumour has it Brendan Rodgers' Celtic are keeping an eye on the Dutchman.
Several reports last week suggested that Traore was on the verge of a move to West Ham, though subsequent stories have claimed that there is still quite a disparity between the two sides' valuations of the player, witth reported interest from Chelsea, Middlesbrough will not be letting the player go on the cheap.
Gibson meanwhile is something of a strange situation, having come through the academy, he is a Middlesbrough fan and his uncle, Steve, is the club's chairman and owner. With this in mind, it is difficult to see him leaving and having been one of very few bright spots last season and having been called up to the last few England squads, he may feel he has to move on to progress in his career and to make next year's World Cup squad. Several sides have been linnked with moves to the Teessider, including Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton, West Brom and Stoke.
Middlesbrough themselves are also looking at strengthening their side, having already lost Calum Chambers, Alvaro Negredo, Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan from last seaosn's squad.
Reports have linked them with moves for Nottinham Forest's Britt Asosmbalona and Swansea City's Kyle Bartley (who Monk worked with at both Leeds and Swansea).