MIDDLESBROUGH want to make George Edmundson’s loan contract permanent before the January transfer deadline.
Boro’s original bid for Edmundson was turned down, but talks with Ipswich Town are expected to continue. Edmundson is currently on loan at Riverside until the end of the season, when his Ipswich contract expires.
However, rather than waiting until the summer, when the centre-back will be free to negotiate with other teams, Boro want to sign the 27-year-old now.
Making the trade permanent this month would also allow Boro to free up another loan spot in their roster. Ben Doak is the only other loanee in the ranks right now, and five are allowed in a matchday squad, so there’s plenty of room as things stand.
However, if Boro decide to pursue Bournemouth’s Mark Travers, a potential target as they review the custodian situation this month, there will only be two more spaces available.
Boro’s preference this month is for permanent moves, but having loan places in the squad gives them a valuable backup option as the window unfolds.
Edmundson signed late on deadline day in the summer, but has proven to be an important signing for Boro, starting 19 of their 26 Championship games. The fit-again Dael Fry and Rav van den Berg have started the last two league games together, although Edmundson is ahead of Matt Clarke in the rankings.
At this point, there is no word on when Darragh Lenihan, Boro’s other senior centre-back, will be available again. Lenihan’s last competitive appearance for Boro occurred in November 2023.
Edmundson rapidly settled in Teesside and is said to be delighted at Boro. He’d only been at the club for a few weeks when he announced his desire for a permanent contract.
He stated, “I am out of contract next year, so I am playing for my next deal; no one wants to be a free agent.”
“I need to perform, play well, and perhaps achieve something here; who knows, you might want to play for the largest and best clubs. But all I can do is act; forget about it, and whatever occurs will come.
Leave a Reply