Updates on two forwards linked with West Brom, Stoke and Middlesbrough: Transfer rumours

Here are some of the latest Boro-related news stories and transfer rumours circling the web.

Sheffield Wednesday forward keen to stay

One man who has been linked with Boro in recent weeks is Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass

The likes of Fulham, West Brom, QPR, Cardiff and Stoke have also been credited with interest in the 27-year-old who has one year left on his contract at Hillsborough.

Yet according to Windass’ father Dean, the attacker is keen to stay at Wednesday, managed by Darren Moore, despite the Owls’ relegation to League One.

“I’ve got no positive information,” Windass told The Transfer Tavern. “I know that he’s had a meeting with Darren Moore, and those discussions will stay with Darren, Josh and myself. Darren wants to keep him, and Josh wants to stay.

“Yes, there’s a lot of speculation about a lot of football clubs that are after him, but he was very upbeat and positive about his meeting with Darren.

“There’s speculation these clubs are after him, but he’s chilling out in Portugal and will be back for pre-season training unless he gets told any different.”

Windass scored nine Championship goals for Wednesday this season despite the Owls’ struggles.

Michal Smith latest

It’s understood that Boro have been tracking Rotherham striker Michal Smith as Warnock looks to bolster his attacking options for the 2021/22 season.

Smith, 29, impressed against Boro at the Riverside in January and has one year left on his contract at the New York Stadium, following the Millers’ relegation to League One.

When asked about Boro’s interest in Smith, Rotherham assistant Richie Barker told the Rotherham Advertiser: "You have conversations with people in the game all the time. Smudge's name crops up as one of those who have had successful Championship seasons.

"That (Middlesbrough interest) has been talked about for a while, firstly because Smudge has played quite well against them in the last few years and, secondly, with him being from the North East.

"He also scored up at their place when we beat them 3-0. They have a lot of strikers out of contract as well.

"In terms of, have we had any concrete bids or anyone ringing up and making an offer for him? No.

"In fairness, I would expect Smudge to be on a lot of people's lists. It is how high up the list he is and how much they are willing to pay for him, I suppose."

Former Boro coach lands new role

Finally, former Boro coach Paul Jenkins has taken up a recruitment role with Premier League club Burnley.

Jenkins spent two decades working as a coach with the Teessiders and was part of the first-team set-up before leaving in 2017.

According to The Athletic, Jenkins’ official title is technical consultant for ALK/Burnley, and the former Boro man will mainly be working with the academy set-up to identify young talent.

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