Garry Monk wants to make his first Middlesbrough signing with a move for Nottingham Forest forward Britt Assombalonga, according to Sky Sports.
Sky Sports claimed in their Transfer Centre (Tuesday, 10.23am) that the 38-year-old manager wants to bring Forest’s injury-plagued striker to the Riverside, despite his interrupted campaign.
It is believed that the former Leeds manager, who was confirmed as Boro boss last Friday before being unveiled on Monday, is looking to sign a striker and Assombalonga is his top priority.
The 24-year-old still managed to make 33 appearances in all competitions last season and found the back of the net 14 times for the two-time European champions, who narrowly avoided relegation to League One.
Boro have lost top scorer Alvaro Negredo after the Spain international returned to parent club Valencia following his season-long loan at the Riverside after the club suffered relegation to the Championship.
Now, the Teesside outfit have just Rudy Gestede and Patrick Bamford as options to lead the line for Monk’s new side, who has signed a three-year deal with the club after failing to agree terms with Leeds.
Since moving to Forest, Assombalonga has a record of almost one goal every two games with 30 strikes in 69 league and cup encounters for Mark Warburton’s Championship outfit.
Forest will be looking to bring in a decent sum if they are to sell the former Watford striker, with four years still remaining on the powerful forward’s contract at the City Ground.