Four-time EFL Championship winners, Middlesbrough, are unlikely to sign Super Eagles attacker, Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, permanently, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old joined Boro on a six-month loan deal in February to put his career back on track after a horrible six-month stint in Spain with Sevilla, but things haven’t gone to plan with Michael Carrick‘s side.
Iheanacho played largely as a number ten in his five-month stay at the Riverside Stadium, and scored just once and provided two assists in 15 Championship games for Middlesbrough.
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The one-time Carling Cup winners didn’t have the best finishes to their Championship season, winning just one of their final six league games, which cost them a place in the play-offs.
Ahead of next season, the club hierarchy are planning a proper rebuild that might see Michael Carrick exit the club as they look to gain promotion to the English top-flight.
As per Football League World, the Reds will make additions to the centre-forward department a strong priority when the transfer window reopens, but even in a worst-case scenario, it is highly unlikely that any of the club’s temporary winter additions will sign permanently.
Middlesbrough head coach, Michael Carrick, admitted his side will need to improve things in the summer transfer window, but was mute about the future of the former Manchester City man.
“We look at the squad and what needs to be done with the group – how we can improve things, how we can help the boys overcome the disappointment they feel now and use it to come back stronger.
“There was a lot of change in the squad again this season, a lot of turnover. It’s a constant evolution, really. That’s just something we’ll continue to work towards. That’s just how the summer works.
“It’s not any bigger than any other summer transfer window we’ve faced. I think there are really good foundations in the group, and the core of the squad is really strong,” the ex-Manchester United midfielder said in quotes revealed by the Northern Echo.
“It’s something that we need to try and build on because clearly we need to be stronger when we come out for the start of the season.
“It’s continuing to evolve – that’s the constant challenge. It doesn’t mean it’s any bigger than any other. In some ways, the stability we’ve built over the two-and-a-half years or so is there. We’ve just got to keep adding to it,” the 43-year-old concluded.
This means Iheanacho will return to Sevilla. He’ll most likely be shipped off again this summer, as he was termed a mistake signing by the club’s sporting director.