Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Britt Assombalonga attracting interest, Jack Clarke seals Stoke switch plus Aston Villa man turns down move

Assombalonga, 28, will be out of contract at the end of the season after joining the Teessiders for a club-record £15million fee from Nottingham Forest in July 2017.

According to the Daily Mirror, several Championship clubs are interested in the forward who also has more lucrative interest from abroad in Turkey.

Assombalonga has scored 46 goals in 150 games for Boro and was made club captain by Neil Warnock at the start of the campaign.

Clarke completes Stoke move

Stoke have completed the signing of Tottenham winger Jack Clarke on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old wideman has been linked with several Championship clubs over the last week, with Sky Sports claiming Stoke, Boro and Swansea were battling to sign him.

Warnock was asked about the player last week and cooled speculation.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful to Jack, and I’m sure he’s a good player, but I’ve not seen anything of him. There are others I’m looking at,” said the Boro boss.

After the move was confirmed, Stoke boss Michael O’Neill told the club’s website: “Jack is an exciting young wide player who will bring an added dimension to our resources for the remainder of the season.”

Reported target turned down move abroad

Finally, Boro are one of three Championship clubs who have been linked with Aston Villa defender Frederic Guilbert.

Bristol City and Cardiff have also been credited with interest in the 26-year-old who has made just two appearances for Villa in the EFL Cup this season.

Football Insider have reported that Guilbert rejected a loan move to Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park.

Warnock was asked last week if Boro were looking to sign another central defender, before saying the club have considered sending 18-year-old Nathan Wood out on loan.

“A lot depends on who we can get,” Warnock replied. “It would be nice to get someone in who can play full-back and centre-half because we have talked about Woody going on loan as well.”

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