Middlesbrough have spoken to Southampton about a loan deal for striker Adam Armstrong, TEAMtalk can reveal.
The former Blackburn Rovers striker joined the Saints last summer in a £15m transfer after scoring 28 league goals.
However, the 25-year-old hasn’t had the best of campaigns with just two goals in 17 starts. And Southampton are believed to be considering other options and are ready to let Armstrong move on loan.
Armstrong found himself behind Armando Broja and Che Adams in the pecking order. While Shane Long, 35, was given playing time towards the end of the season.
Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted it was a tough decision for him to leave Armstrong out of Southampton’s squad for the game against Brighton in April.
“It’s hard for Arma [Adam Armstrong], because he should also have the chance to play. But today I thought that Shane [Long] was the best decision, I think,” the Saints boss said. Hampshire live.
“Absolutely, it was not easy [to not go with Armstrong instead]. I decided this morning and there was no practice with it, but sometimes it’s just a feeling you have.
Hasenhuttl also admitted that no player should be happy if they don’t play regularly.
“I feel like no one is happy when you’re not playing. That’s normal – no one should be happy when they’re not playing. He should be looking to get into the team as soon as possible because everyone wants to play, and it’s up to me to find the right players to do so,” Hasenhuttl said last month.
Now Boro has decided to try to lure the former Newcastle United striker to the North East.
Adam Armstrong, plus two other forwards
Boro is looking to sign at least two new forwards, as well as Armstrong.
Chris Wilder’s men are also in talks to land Dwight Gayle from Newcastle.
Gayle, 32, was a key figure in helping Newcastle return to the Premier League in the 2016/17 season.
He scored 23 goals in 34 games in the league. But like Armstrong, he was unable to take that form with him in the Premier League.
It’s safe to say that signing Armstrong would be a real coup for Chris Wilder.
Armstrong is a proven goalscorer at second level with 44 goals in his last two seasons in the Championship.
However, his salary may be an issue for Boro, who hopes Saints will agree to pay part of his salary.
The article Middlesbrough start talks over exciting loan deal for Southampton star Adam Armstrong appeared first on Teamtalk.com.
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