Nottingham Forest have made the first move to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton, although Leeds are one of a number of Championship rivals linked.
Nottingham Forest were a bit late to the party as a number of Championship clubs expressed their interest in Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton.
But it now appears Forest are leading the way. The appointment of former Boro boss Aitor Karanka this month has seen the City Ground emerge as perhaps the most likely destination for Clayton if he does indeed depart the Riverside this month.
Such a fee would see Boro recoup what they paid Huddersfield Town for Clayton back in August 2014. It remains to be seen, however, whether Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is willing to sell after the club agreed to let Adam Forshaw leave for Leeds United and were beaten by Cardiff City to the loan signing of Liverpool’s Marko Grujic.
But, like Forshaw (below), Clayton does not appear to be a major part of Pulis’s first-team plans in the North East. He has played just eight minutes of Championship football since the veteran tactician replaced Garry Monk at the helm in December.
And Clayton could play a far bigger role in a Nottingham Forest side managed by Karanka. Clayton was a key figure as the Spaniard lead Boro to promotion as recently as 2016 and he will be hoping that £2 million is enough to seal the deal.
As reported by the Yorkshire Post, Leeds were also in the chase to sign Clayton, who played for the club between 2010 and 2012. But with Forshaw arriving at Elland Road, they have surely dropped out of the race.
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