– EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
After a fantastic start to the season at Plymouth Argyle, Middlesbrough are set to sign midfielder Finn Azaz on a permanent deal from Aston Villa.
HITC Football understands that the 23-year-old is set to switch Championship clubs very soon after making 26 appearances at Home Park.
Plymouth were hoping to keep him in a permanent deal but sources have confirmed to HITC Football that Middlesbrough have made the move to agree a deal worth an initial £2m.
The previous relationship between Boro and Aston Villa has helped facilitate the move after previous deals to send Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey on loan to the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough agree deal for Aston Villa youngster Finn Azaz
Michael Carrick has guided Middlesbrough to 12th in the table at the halfway stage of the season and will want to improve his squad in the January transfer window to boost their chances of making the play-offs.
Bringing in Finn Azaz looks like the perfect first step given the way he’s started his first campaign in England’s second tier.
The Irish Under-21 international was signed by Villa from local rivals West Brom before joining Newport County on loan.
He then helped guide The Pilgrims out of League One last year before returning in the summer.
After scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 26 league games, Middlesbrough decided it was time to strike and sign the 23-year-old to help them try and return to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough need strong January transfer window
Boro’s season got off to the worst possible start, failing to win any of their first seven league games.
Michael Carrick was given time in a league that’s notoriously cut-throat and six wins on the bounce propelled them back towards the top of the table.
Unfortunately, results have been inconsistent since then, recording a single draw since the end of September.
Middlesbrough have outscored many of their closest rivals in the league, but bringing in Azaz from Aston Villa should give them a welcome boost.
Currently, Emmanuel Latte Lath is the team’s top goalscorer and so Azaz can give Boro a welcome injection of goals from midfield.
Former Plymouth boss Schumacher big fan of Azaz
Before joining Stoke City, manager Steven Schumacher was the man responsible for signing Azaz on loan at Plymouth.
He was clearly a huge fan of the 23-year-old and earlier in the season when talking about the attacking midfielder he said: “I think it took him a few weeks to get going here. His pre-season wasn’t as intense as what ours was, and now he’s up to speed he’s showing the quality we know he has got. That’s why we were so keen to bring him back.
“He’s probably the most intelligent footballer, away from football, I have ever met and his game knowledge is outstanding. His passing (against Norwich) was exceptional and I was made up he got his goal because he deserved it.”
Boro fans can get very excited about their new signing when he arrives based on Schumacher’s quotes and he’s already shown this season that he can get going in new surroundings very quickly.
Aston Villa academy comes up trumps once again
While many Villa fans won’t be too upset seeing Azaz head out of the door permanently to Middlesbrough, this move is another example of how they’re identifying exceptional young talent, improving them and then selling them for a profit.
In the summer, Cameron Archer was sold for £18m, while Jaden Philogene, Aaron Ramsey and Keinan Davis all departed as well.
Meanwhile, the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Tim Iroegbunam have starred in the first team this season, while Louie Barry was having a fantastic spell on loan at Stockport County before picking up an injury.
While Azaz has previously earned praise from the likes of Dean Smith, given their current league form, it’s unlikely he would have ever made the grade at Villa Park and so the move to Middlesbrough makes sense for all parties.
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