Wes Burns has really impressed for Joey Barton’s League One challengers but could he leave for Jonathan Woodgate’s Championship strugglers Boro?
Middlesbrough are hoping to sign Fleetwood Town star Wes Burns in the January transfer window as owner Steve Gibson plans to bring in a couple of astute, affordable winter additions, according to The Sun (10 November, page 59).
It has been a dismal start to the season for Boro. Jonathan Woodgate is under huge pressure just months into his first ever managerial role with the one-time Premier League stalwarts stuck in the relegation zone after winning just two of their first 16 Championship games this season.
At least Middlesbrough found the net in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with QPR after four goalless matches in the second tier.
With the parachute payments running out, funds are tight at the Riverside and links with Burns, who has spent much of his career in the lower leagues, perhaps reflects the need to be clever in the transfer market from now on.
The versatile right winger has four assists in 17 games this season for League One play-off hopefuls Fleetwood and manager Joey Barton is a big fan, describing the one-time Bristol City youngster as ‘outstanding’ as he tore Costa Rican international Bryan Oviedo apart during Fleetwood’s 2-1 win against Sunderland in April (Blackpool Gazette).
Middlesbrough were keen to sign Burns during the summer as well and it will take a substantial bid to tempt the Cod Army into selling a key player midway through the season.
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