Ian Smith
Middlesbrough’s pursuit of striking reinforcements appears to have taken them across the Channel to France according to L’Equipe, as links surface of a bid for Toulouse forward Martin Braithwaite.
The Danish international scored 12 goals last season for the Ligue 1 outfit as the team from Southern France finished mid-table.
Signed in 2013 from Danish outfit Esbjerg, where Braithwaite began his professional career, the pacey forward man has managed 40 goals in 149 appearances in his four seasons, and has also recently attracted interest from Premier League new boys Brighton as well as Bournemouth too. The Mirror reported a figure of around £12m would be required to entice Toulouse into selling their man.
With Middlesbrough possessing the biggest budget in the Championship it wouldn’t put them off making such an outlay, especially as they still appear in keen on £15m rated Britt Assombalonga from Nottingham Forest.
You feel though that Boro would have their work cut out trying to convince the Danish striker to turn down Premier League offers, even though Garry Monk will hope to have his team return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
The 26-year-old has appeared for his country 16 times, netting just one goal, and may see a drop into the Championship potentially harmful to his international ambitions.