Middlesbrough have been linked with Burnley’s Sam Vokes.
According to a report in the Northern Echo, Middlesbrough are keen on signing Burnley striker Sam Vokes, with manager Tony Pulis putting the Welshman at the top of his summer wish-list.
Boro have already strengthened their squad this summer with the arrivals of Paddy McNair from Sunderland and imposing centre-back Aden Flint from fellow Championship side Bristol City.
Pulis arrived at the Riverside Stadium midway through last season and guided Boro to the Championship playoffs where they fell at the semi-final stage with a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Aston Villa.
The former West Bromwich Albion boss will be backed by owner Steve Gibson in his bid to earn promotion this season and with the help of parachute payments they look in a very sound position.
Pulis likes to have physically imposing players as he plays a direct style and adding Burnley’s Vokes to the mix upfront could give the Teesside club the most intimidating attack in the Championship.
The 6ft 2inch man is a big, strong forward who is equally adept at playing on the ground as he is winning the physical battles in the air. He notched 15 goals during the Clarets’ promotion-winning campaign in 2015-16 before netting 10 Premier League goals in his debut top-flight season.
Vokes, 28, featured in 30 Premier League games last term, but with Burnley strengthening their attacking options to compliment centre-forward Chris Wood he may struggle for game-time this coming term.
With Boro already boasting a powerful frontline in Britt Assambalonga and 6ft 4inch Rudy Gestede, adding Vokes to the mix would be a nightmare for Championship defenders amid a wave of high balls into the box.
Pulis’s football may not be the prettiest, but it certainly is effective and it’s clear from Boro’s movement in the transfer market this summer exactly how they plan to go about their business as they seek a return to the top-flight.
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