Boro could reportedly sell Assombalonga with Aston Villa and Bristol City battling Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Aston Villa are among the clubs hoping to sign unsettled Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga before the January transfer deadline, according to TEAMtalk.
Boro’s £15 million record signing is facing an uncertain future at the Riverside after failing to win over manager Tony Pulis in the last 12 months. Assombalonga has started just three Championship games since November with the former Stoke and West Brom boss preferring Jordan Hugill in attack.
As a result, the one-time Watford youth teamer is understood is be keen on a move back down south with Aston Villa one of the sides interested.
Assombalonga is a proven Championship goalscorer who netted 30 times in 65 matches for Nottingham Forest. On paper, he could forge a fearsome partnership with the league’s top scorer, Tammy Abraham, at Villa Park.
Another second tier side, Bristol City, are also reported to be interested in the 26-year-old with Middlesbrough looking to recoup a fee of at least £10 million.
Premier League duo Brighton and Crystal Palace are also apparently keeping a close eye on the situation. Assombalonga has never played Premier League football, however, and the jury is out about whether he could step up.
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