The Northern Echo (via the Hartlepool Mail) are reporting that both us and Nottingham Forest could fight it out for a second time over a striker.
Lewis Grabban looks poised to join the Reds in a £6m deal, but it seems we are now vying with them again for Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga.
Boro boss Tony Pulis is not a big fan of the Congolese international and is looking to sell the striker. Fans on Twitter were mixed in their reaction to the story:
@KaneGStyles @reluctantnicko surely not
— baggy (@_baggyaaron) 6 July 2018
I highly doubt it mate.
— Kane Styles (@KaneGStyles) 6 July 2018
His better then grabben and worth the money and resale if need to get him off books gona choose monk aswell be please with this deal.
— Michael Morby (@c64b37ff7a9a406) 6 July 2018
— Ben (@Benbcfc1) 6 July 2018
Peterborough must be asking for big £ for Marriott. No one bidding for him? ????
— – (@RacingJamesUK) 6 July 2018
Think is 7 million wats ridiculous hasent even played in championship.
— Michael Morby (@c64b37ff7a9a406) 6 July 2018
Are Forest ???? trying to buy everyone? If they’re not promoted this season they’ll end up like #AVFC. Clubs need to be careful, #NFFC are looking a bit scatter-gun in their approach.
— Gary J. Richards (@TheGJRichards) 6 July 2018
May be a loan
— Nortsey (@nortsey) 6 July 2018
Verdict
Although Garry Monk did sign Assombalonga last summer for Middlesborough, I can’t see him signing him again. It’s clear that we do have funds after bidding for Grabban, but Boro are unlikely to want to sell for much less than the £15m they paid Forest for the forward.
A player such as Peterborough’s Jack Marriott is probably in closer reach financially, and there are likely cheaper options that the club are considering to strengthen the frontline.