Future of Big Sam crucial to Besic staying put

TONY Pulis is likely to try to sign Bosnian international Mo Besic on a permanent basis in the summer. The 25-year-old midfielder has re-found himself during his loan spell with Boro and has looked a quality player at Championship level. In fact, Besic has established himself as a crucial member of the Boro midfield. He is strong into the tackle and makes telling forward runs.

Everton forked out £4m to sign Besic from Ferencvaros in 2014 and will at least want their money back if they agree to sell.

A great deal may depend on who is in charge at Goodison Park next season. There are constant rumours Big Sam Allardyce may not hold on to the job in the long term.

Certainly Sam will have been kept fully aware of Besic’s form.

The whole point of sending Besic out on loan was so the Bosnian could regain his form and confidence. This has been achieved on Teesside. Now a lot will depend on whether Allardyce stays at the Everton helm and believes Besic can repeat the feat in the top flight.

From Pulis’ point of view, signing Besic would give him a solid player in the centre of his team.

In this respect, Adam Clayton has also done himself no harm at all with his recent efforts.

Clayton was one of the players who Pulis did not appear to fancy when he first arrived on Teesside. As a result, the 29-year-old has not enjoyed much game time.

However, he produced a cracking performance in the final 30 minutes against Nottingham Forest and stepped up yet another gear when he came on at Sheffield United.

Clayton is a favourite with much of the Boro faithful. It would be good to see him stay part of the manager’s plans for next season – and hopefully be joined by Besic.