Reported Rangers target Britt Assombalonga has played his final game for Middlesbrough with his Riverside farewell just weeks away, Boro manager Neil Warnock told Teesside Live.
With Middlesbrough’s play-off hopes now over, Warnock’s decision has been made that little bit easier.
A top-half finish is the best the North East outfit can hope for these days, and it seems their veteran gaffer will now use a trio of dead-rubbers as preparation for next season.
And that means those out-of-contract players, including Assombalonga and fellow striker Ashley Fletcher, will not be seen again.
Assombalonga, Middlesbrough’s £15 million record signing, will be a free agent on July 1.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are apparently weighing up a summer swoop amid doubts over the futures of Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe (Give Me Sport).
The next time Assombalonga sets foot on a football pitch, could he be wearing royal blue instead of blood red?
“We’ve told them (Assombalonga and Fletcher) that they won’t be involved again now. They won’t play and they won’t train with us. I just felt it was the right time,” Warnock explained.
“It’s difficult for players as well – it’s not their fault altogether. I thought it was time after I brought on Britt on at the weekend (in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to QPR).
“When you’re looking at next season and you know you’re not going to be here, both of them have probably got another club now, so I’m told. I didn’t think there was any point carrying on. We’ve agreed to let them both go – it’s only two more weeks.”
Warnock was unwilling to reveal which clubs have been in talks with Assombalonga and Fletcher; a pair of strikers who set Middlesbrough back a combined £21.5 million but will now depart for nothing.
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