Middlesbrough have now reportedly turned their focus towards signing a transfer-listed midfielder after completing their hijack to sign Jeremy Sarmiento.
Middlesbrough set to sign Sarmiento
It’s been a dramatic week in Teesside. Middlesbrough initially saw their pursuit of Sarminento hijacked by Birmingham City, but that only sparked one of their own to take pole position to sign the Brighton & Hove Albion winger.
Since then, they’ve come out on top, pushing the Blues to one side to close in on a permanent deal worth more than £5m, as per Ben Jacobs.
The South American looks set to become the third arrival of the month for Kim Hellberg, following earlier deals to sign Finley Munroe from Aston Villa and Leo Casteldine from Chelsea.
It’s a show of intent from Boro, who currently sit five points behind Championship leaders Coventry City in the race to secure the silverware that comes with promotion to the Premier League.
Having his say on Sarmiento amid the increasing rumours, Hellberg told reporters earlier this week: “I know him. He’s played in Brighton, of course, and I told you before I watched them play some Premier League games when I watched De Zerbi. So I’ve seen him. Good player.”
Even after signing the Brighton man, however, Middlesbrough are unlikely to be done there. It’s a make-or-break month for the Championship’s title race and they’re now eyeing a move to sign a midfield talent to add the cherry on top of an excellent window.
According to TeamTalk, Middlesbrough are now instantly racing to sign Joe Rothwell, who has been transfer listed by Rangers after an underwhelming spell in Scotland.
Middlesbrough racing to sign transfer-listed Rothwell
This time last year, Rothwell had quite the reputation. He arrived on loan at Leeds United, played a crucial part in their promotion, and then sealed a move to Rangers as a result. Since then, though, he has struggled to get back to his best form. So much so that he’s not featured in any of the last 14 Scottish Premiership games.
The 31-year-old desperately needs an exit and has attracted interest from Boro, Sheffield United, Derby County and Stoke City as a result.
Out of all those clubs, it is Boro who look most likely to secure promotion and Rothwell could repeat the magic that helped Leeds on their way to the Premier League last season by joining the Teesside club.
Given that Hayden Hackney has once again found himself on the radar of the likes of Manchester United too, signing a midfield reinforcement wouldn’t exactly be a bad idea for Hellberg.
Boro have already made a statement by reaching an agreement to sign Sarmiento and could now do the same to sign Rothwell from Rangers before the end of the month. With promotion in sight, he’s be another impressive arrival.
