Saint-Etienne boss Claude Puel provides Harold Moukoudi update amid Middlesbrough interest

Saint-Etienne manager Claude Puel has confirmed Middlesbrough’s interest in centre-back Harold Moukoudi but insists a deal is not done yet.

By Joe Nicholson

Published 31st Jan 2020, 13:47 BST

Updated 31st Jan 2020, 13:54 BST

Saint-Etienne boss Claude Puel has confirmed Middlesbrough's interest in defender Harold Moukoudi.

Boro are trying to sign the 22-year-old on loan until the end of the season ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline.

The Teessiders have been looking to bring in another centre-back this month, yet attempts to sign Burnley’s Ben Gibson and Leicester’s Filip Benkovic have proved tricky.

French newspaper L'Equipe claimed on Thursday that Boro were close to agreeing a deal for Moukoudi, yet Puel says there is still work to do.

"It is not yet done for Harold Moukoudi at Middlesbrough,” said Puel.

"No other departures or arrivals are planned before this evening."

Moukoudi played against Boro at the Riverside during a pre-season friendly back in July.

The defender signed for Saint-Etienne from second-tier club Le Havre in the summer but has made just 11 Ligue 1 appearances this season.