Middlesbrough goalscorer attracting serious Premier League interest amid promotion worries
One Middlesbrough forward could be set to leave the club this summer if they don't achieve promotion.
Middlesbrough striker David Strelec could depart the club this summer if they fail to secure promotion to the Premier League, according to reports.
Strelec joined Boro from Slovan Bratislava last summer, but has had a mixed debut campaign at the Riverside Stadium so far, registering seven goals and an assist in 31 Championship appearances. That said, he’s registered two of those goals and the assist in his last three appearances, meaning he’s posted five direct goal involvements in his last 11 outings since the start of March, showing a clear improvement in form.
Strelec also boasts a strong record at national team level, notching 10 goals and five assists in 38 caps for Slovakia, in a record that includes a goal and assist against Germany, another assist against England, and strikes in each of his last two appearances.
Premier League clubs circle for David Strelec
Strelec’s pace, physicality and eagerness to get shots on goal make him an attractive prospect as a striker. According to SportsBoom, those qualities have attracted the attention of Premier League duo Nottingham Forest and Everton. Both sides are in the market for attacking options following underwhelming seasons in front of goal, and Strelec is certainly a stylistic fit for Vitor Pereira and David Moyes.
Several other unnamed top-flight clubs are thought to be interested in Strelec. However, it’s understood that Boro have absolutely no desire to sell regardless of what division they’re playing in, and their position is strengthened by the fact that the player has a contract on Teesside until the summer of 2030.
Boro are fourth in the Championship heading into the final day, but can still secure automatic promotion if they beat Wrexham away, coupled with Ipswich Town and Millwall slipping up at home to QPR and Oxford United, respectively. Kim Hellberg will be keen to secure Premier League football, with rumours also circulating that Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker could be targeted in the market following standout seasons in the second tier.
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