West Ham are expected to miss out on a transfer windfall this summer, with Middlesbrough thought to be unlikely to sign on loan Hammers striker Jordan Hugill permanently, according to Claret & Hugh.
The reliable West Ham news source claims that Boro boss Tony Pulis has cooled on the 26-year-old centre-forward and isn’t expected to make a permanent move for him.
With the Riverside outfit battling for promotion it is understood that Hugill won’t be part of their plans should they return to the Premier League and he is expected to remain on the books at the London Stadium for next summer.
The former Preston North End star has managed just seven goals in 30 games in what has been another largely disappointing campaign on Teesside.
OPINION
This is a bit of a blow to West Ham, even if this is somewhat expected news. Hugill hasn’t exactly been lighting it up for Boro in the Championship this season. It’s no wonder they don’t want to sign him permanently because he hasn’t produced the goods this campaign. That means that the Hammers will miss out on a potential transfer fee for the player, although it’s unknown how large that windfall would have been anyway. This news leaves the player in limbo, though, because it seems clear that he doesn’t have much of a future at the London Stadium either. Manuel Pellegrini obviously didn’t want him around this season and it appears that Pulis doesn’t want him at the Riverside next term. So he needs a move away from East London, but it’s clear that that won’t be to Middlesbrough. He’s not been horrible this season, he’s just not been good enough to earn a permanent move.