Middlesbrough FC news and transfer rumours: Free agent striker attracting interest, latest Jack Clarke reports plus Thomas Frank to miss FA Cup match

The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving Turkish second division side Altay SK last month and is reportedly keen on a return to England.

Boro were linked with the frontman back in the summer, while Football Insider have claimed the Teessiders are ‘batting to sign the forward’ along with Championship rivals Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham.

Whether Boro’s interest is genuine is questionable, especially as manager Neil Warnock said on Friday that no deals are close and the Teessiders are still targeting another wide player.

According to Bristol Live, League One side Bristol Rovers have held talks with Gnanduillet, who scored 18 goals in 36 appearances for Blackpool last season.

The forward is said to have rejected a new contract at Bloomfield Road in the summer as he pursued a move to the Championship.

Winger reports

Another player who has been linked with a move to the Riverside is Tottenham winger Jack Clarke.

The 20-year-old former Leeds player has made just two appearances for Spurs in the Europa League this season, with several Championship clubs reportedly interested.

Sky Sports reported earlier this week that Boro, Stoke and Swansea were among the clubs who are tracking Clarke.

According to the Athletic, a host of Championship clubs, including Stoke and Millwall, are interested in the player but Spurs are considering their options after disappointing loan spells at Leeds and QPR last season.

Frank to miss FA Cup clash

Away from transfers, Brentford have returned two positive Covid-19 tests ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup match against Boro, including manager Thomas Frank.

Frank will now self-isolate for ten days under EFL and Government regulations, meaning Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane will take charge of the game against Boro.

The Teessiders have been weakened after a number of their first-team players and staff tested positive for the virus on Monday.

Around 50 per cent of Boro’s squad will be made up of under-23s players, with manager Neil Warnock still keen to name the strongest side he possibly can.

Boro will travel to Brentford with only five members of staff.

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