Brit Swap?
Middlesbrough and Bristol City have held talks over a possible blockbuster swap deal that could see Britt Assombalonga and Famara Diedhiou moving in the opposite direction.
City have a long-standing interest in Assombalonga – who is out of contract with Boro this summer – and they had been readying a summer contract offer.
However, a move could be accelerated to this transfer window after it emerged that Boro have a liking for City striker Diedhiou.
Neil Warnock is keen on landing a target-man, and with Chuba Akpom, Duncan Watmore and fit-again Ashley Fletcher, they are willing to let captain Assombalonga leave.
We understand that top-level talks between Boro and City, and swap deal has been talked about, and it looks like both parties are keen.
Swap could happen before deadline
Senegal international Diedhiou and DR Congo ace Assombalonga have almost mirrored each other since joining their two clubs. Both moved in the summer of 2017 for big money, and both have hit around 50 goals in 150 games.
Assombalonga joined Boro for £15million from Nottingham Forest, whilst City gave Angers over £5million for Diedhiou.
As OFB states my little pocket book states that last season Assombalonga scored 11 league goals from 35 appearances 8 of which were as a substitute whilst Diedhiou 9 days younger but 4 inches taller scored 12 goals from 41 appearances 12 of which were as a substitute. Unfortunately my records don’t show their comparative misses.
Middlesbrough have entered the race to secure the arrival of West Bromwich Albion winger Kamil Grosicki before the transfer deadline with the Baggies wanting to cash in, (The Sun)
BRITT ASSOMBALONGA is set to complete a £2m move to Bristol City tomorrow – with Robins striker Famara Diedhiou under consideration as one of the Middlesbrough captain’s potential replacements.
Bristol City officials held talks with the Middlesbrough hierarchy over the weekend, and are ready to table a formal offer for Assombalonga, who has entered the final six months of his current contract on Teesside.
Neil Warnock is willing to sanction Assombalonga’s departure, with the skipper having been an unused substitute in Saturday’s goalless draw at Norwich City.
It is reported that Wing and Coulson are available to go out on loan.
Come on BORO.
I’ve thought both Wing and Coulson have gone backwards this season and need more game time to learn their true capabilities. Perhaps a trip up the road to Sunderland would be good for both which is where Downing went on loan and came back a great player.
OFB
SSN reporting that we are leading the chase for Nathaniel Mendez Laing who was let go by Cardiff following a serious breach of discipline. He played under NW at Cardiff. 😎
Well spotted, Bob, and thanks for keeping us ahead of the game on proper possible transfer moves.
You know. This "transfer window" malarkey is all a piece of nonsense. It I invariably boils down to getting your deals done on the deadline day for almost all clubs. If you are not going to allow transfers to occur at any time in the year (as in more sensible days of yore) then it would be a lot less painful for everyone if you simply had a transfer day and all exchanges had to take place on that one day.
Just a thought
First deal done. Jonathan joins Bounemouth from Boro!
Jonathan Woodgate has officially been confirmed as a first-team coach at Bournemouth - his first role since leaving Middlesbrough last summer. As OFB repoeted last week.
So the gardening leave is over and his back to work. Some pennies saved and hopefully a player follows in.
Up the Boro!
Yes; and declared a public holiday, even England have not slumped to that level, yet!
That is the best news I have heard in a long time. And saved me posting to the effect that he should not be allowed to take a cut in wages and hang around.
Just as we are getting our act together we let Wing go on loan, how this club does love the magnificent blunder, glad for him, the lucky loaner club are in for a treat, and I expect him to start in the forward line. Watched Patrick Bamford last night (magnificent) no, not over praise, just fact, he played a major part in beating one of the very best teams in the country, and did it with style and class. Could we now discuss the moment of madness when playing a club that were crocked, down on form and confidence, and really not much of an obstacle to a season In the Prem. Over two legs, the First leg at home, we, After much thought de cided that Britt was the better bet to get us through, crashed and burned, and sold Bamford shortly after. (cheaply) Perhaps it was their way to bury their mistakes. I'm sure everyone thought supporters! What do they know?
Rumours that (not given a proper chance) Patrick Roberts on his way to Derby to Mickey Rooney. Now that hurts.
SSN reporting:
"MENDEZ-LAING HEADING FOR BORO
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is on his way to Middlesbrough for a medical after they agreed personal terms with the winger.
He is a free agent after having his contract terminated by Cardiff on the eve of the new season, for what manager Neil Harris at the time called a “serious breach of contract.” 😎
@malcolm. Jordan Rhodes is another one that comes to mind that wasn't given a proper chance. 😎
I see that Lewis Wing has gone out on loan to Rotherham. I think that’s quite a good idea and hopefully he’ll come back refreshed and a better player.
Rotherham United have brought in Lewis Wing on loan from Middlesbrough.
The twenty-five year old is an attacking midfielder which Millers Manager Paul Warne has been saying he’s been wanting in this transfer window.
County Durham born Lewis came through the Youth ranks at Darlington playing for various non-league teams in and around the area before joining Championship Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017. He played in two EFL games for the ‘Boro that season before going out on loan to Yeovil scoring three goals in twenty-two games.
Since returning to Middlesbrough Lewis has made ninety-one appearances and helping out with fourteen goals, his last game coming off the bench against the Millers last week.
All at Vital Rotherham welcome Lewis to the New York Stadium.
Crewe Alexandra have signed centre-back Nathan Wood on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the League One season.
The 18-year-old made his Boro debut in August 2018 and has gone on to make 12 appearances for the Championship club.
England youth international Wood most recently featured for Neil Warnock's side in their 3-0 league defeat by Rotherham on 27 January.
He will join up with Boro team-mate Stephen Walker, who is also on loan at Gresty Road.
MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Mendez-Laing has joined Boro as a free agent, having been released from Cardiff City shortly before the start of the season.
The 28-year-old began his senior career with Wolves, and also spent time with Peterborough United and Rochdale before moving to Cardiff in 2017.
He had a successful spell at the Cardiff City Stadium, playing under Boro boss Neil Warnock and helping the Bluebirds win promotion to the Premier League.
Boro are attempting a late move for Fulham winger Neeskens Kebano.
OFB
MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Mendez-Laing has joined Boro as a free agent, having been released from Cardiff City shortly before the start of the season.
The 28-year-old began his senior career with Wolves, and also spent time with Peterborough United and Rochdale before moving to Cardiff in 2017.
He had a successful spell at the Cardiff City Stadium, playing under Boro boss Neil Warnock and helping the Bluebirds win promotion to the Premier League.
Two questions for me.
1. what happened at Cardiff?
2. if he is a free agent, why did we wait until the last day of the transfer window before we signed him. We could have had him playing the same as Watmore. Does this suggest that either there is still some hangover from the Cardiff blow-up or that there was someone better but we couldn’t get the deal through?
Middlesbrough have now agreed a loan deal with Neeskens Kebano
Sources confident that a deal will be done before the deadline.
Greatly underwhelmed by Mendez Laing signing - sacked at the end of last season.Rare for a player to be sacked. Hasn’t played this year so take a month or so to get up to speed. Is he any good ?
Typical last minute to get a winger from Fulham. Just watched a talented winger, Adomah, score a brilliant goal for QPR !! He’d have done for me.
So we’re left with very average forwards - Apcom, Assombolonga and Fletcher. So , the hope is Watmore might fulfill his talent.
I tend to think that the best tactic is to try to repeat the early season style of not conceding and try to nick a goal - a bit like the game at Norwich. Although the next game may be difficult against the top scorers who smashed in 7 goals versus Wycombe.
Philip of Huddersfield
Rumours that (not given a proper chance) Patrick Roberts on his way to Derby to Mickey Rooney. Now that hurts.
Patrick Roberts to Derby on loan confirmed by the Beeb at 23.45 & Neeskens Kebano from Fulham to Boro on loan at 23.30.
I think this window has to go down as one of our more successful ones. It's clear that Warnock has landed who he wanted in many positions with the possible exception being a new main striker. Having said that our Strikers have struggled for service for years and with Mendez-Laing, Kebano and Bolasie that looks set to change very dramatically.
Kebano was very instrumental in Fulham's promotion and is an attacking midfield player with set pieces in his locker. Bolasie when fit could be a class apart on the left at this level. Mendez-Laing clearly has baggage that has yet to be unpacked but his departure from Cardiff has been cited as one of the major reasons for the Bluebirds demise with their fans. He is another one who was instrumental in Cardiff's promotion and shone at Old Trafford with a brace when they were in the Premiership. Warnock knows two of them very well and importantly they came here because they want to play for him.
Fisher's debut at Norwich was certainly cause for optimism and permits the option to play Dijksteel at CB if needed but perhaps the most telling thing will be is if he takes one of the three current midfielders out and plays Kebano in their place. With Tav, Johnson, Fletcher, Akpom, Britt and Watmore to rotate or mix and match with those three there are some serious attacking options there and crucially the flair and ability to create chances.
On the outgoings, Wing will get game time at Rotherham and can make a name for himself and prove his worth at this level. Roberts was never a Warnock signing and while he has undoubted ability he didn't fit Warnock's blueprint. Wood to Crewe is a good opportunity for him at a great Club with an excellent reputation where he should be able to impress and develop with his fellow Boro teammate Walker.
We have been looking for a Ramirez type signing for a few years now, an angry talented player with a point to prove and capable of turning a game. M-L, Bolasie and Kebano all tick that box. It feels like the bus analogy when you wait for ages and then three come at once. What is interesting is Bausor seemingly taking a background role in all of this.