Middlesbrough have reportedly offered centre-back Daniel Ayala a new contract, amidst interest from fellow Championship side Leeds United.
According to Football Insider, the 29-year-old has been offered a new long-term contract by the Teesside club, as they look to ensure that they don’t lose him on a free transfer when his current deal expires later this month. It was previously reported by the same site that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have made the Spanish defender one of their top targets ahead of the summer transfer window, but they looked to have been dealt a blow by this latest update.
The report from Football Insider suggests that:
“Leeds director of football Victor Orta knows Ayala well from when he held the same post at Boro when they were in the Premier League.
“He has already spoken to the player about the possibility of a move to West Yorkshire.”
TIF Thoughts…
Boro signed the defender from Norwich City in January 2014 and in six and a half years with the club, he has gone on to make 216 appearances; contributing 23 goals and seven assists (per Transfermarkt). Despite being coached by former Middlesbrough legend Jonathan Woodgate this season, the North East club have endured a disappointing campaign, currently occupying 19th position in the second division.
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Therefore, it may not be a surprise to see him reject the contract offer from his current club and sign instead for Leeds United, with the Yorkshire club on the brink of promotion back to the Premier League. It will be interesting to see if Boro can manage to tie their £2.88 million-rated man down to a new contract with the club ahead of next season.