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Report: Free agent close to joining Tyne-Wear rejects in France after Middlesbrough pulled plug on deal

A general view of the Riverside during the npower Championship match between Middlesbrough and Doncaster Rovers at Riverside Stadium on April 17, 2...
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The former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo is reportedly close to a French top-flight return after his failed move to Middlesbrough.

Teesside Live claimed that Middlesbrough ‘pulled the plug’ on signing Sanogo amid concerns about his fitness.

Boro later strengthened their attacking options with another ex-Arsenal player, Chuba Akpom.

And, having received several prior proposals, including one from Spartak Moscow, Sanogo has now been offered a contract by Dijon, according to Foot Mercato.

It is claimed that the 27-year-old prefers to stay in a major league, such as Ligue 1.

That’s where he ended last season, as a Toulouse player, but his three goals in 15 games failed to keep the Violets afloat.

Akpom has scored once in each of his first two Middlesbrough outings to ensure that Sanogo was quickly forgotten about.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom scores his side's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on September 26, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Photo by Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images

Boro did however spend a reported fee of €3 million (around £2.74m) on Akpom – which is €3m more than Sanogo would have cost.

The respective former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielders Romain Amalfitano and Didier Ndong would be among Sanogo’s Dijon teammates.

The former France Under-21 international arrived at Arsenal highly-rated, but scored just once in 20 games before being released in 2017.