Middlesbrough could cash in on former Nottingham Forest star Britt Assombalonga this month, according to The Mirror.
The 28-year-old is out of contract during the summer and Boro don’t want to risk losing him for free.
Assombalonga left the City Ground in 2017 when the North-East outfit activated a £15 million release clause in his contract.
He fired 30 goals for the Reds during 47 appearances at Forest and was one of the best strikers the club had seen for many years.
Assombalonga’s departure stung the Reds supporters. He was deemed a fan favourite following his arrival from Peterborough and scored some big goals.
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In his first season after leaving Forest, he fired 15 goals to help Boro to the play-offs.
He has found the net 46 times in total at the Riverside Stadium and has captained the side this season.
At 28 it’ll be interesting to see what sort of move Assombalonga might be able to get at this stage of his career.
Having never played a game in the Premier League, it’s perhaps ambitious for him to think a top-flight club will take a chance on him this month.
That means another Championship switch and it seems highly likely that Boro will take a financial hit on their talisman.
Could Forest go back for Assombalonga?
That would seem highly unlikely.
It’s not really a deal that makes a great deal of sense, with Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor both similar types of player.
Assombalonga is 28 now and with Forest trying to build for the future, it’s not really a signing the club would look to do.
Boro will still fancy recouping a decent fee for their number one striker and the Reds will almost certainly be priced out anyway.
Assombalonga’s wages also have to come into consideration.
Given that he signed a big contract when he departed the City Ground, lots of potential suitors could be deterred by his salary.
Assombalonga boasted class at Forest but in terms of a comeback, the ship sailed some time ago.