MONK MAY OPT TO GO FOR BRITT
BORO boss Garry Monk may view livewire striker Britt Assombalonga as the answer to his search for a goalscoring attack leader next season. Reports from the Midlands claim Boro are keen on the 24-year-old Nottingham Forest striker, who has a terrific record in front of goal. Assombalonga recovered from a serious knee injury last season to finish as Forest’s top scorer with 14 goals in 20 starts and 12 substitute appearances.
He has scored at an average of a goal in every two appearances for Forest, which suggests he is just the player Boro need to try to fire them back to the top flight.
Monk will be well aware that Boro’s major problem last season was their complete ineffectiveness in front of goal. The need for a centre-forward is obvious. No doubt Monk would love to bring in Leeds United’s Chris Wood, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season.
Wood would fit the Boro bill perfectly. But there’s not really much chance of Boro pulling off such a deal. Leeds fans would be up in arms.
Assombalonga is a more likely bet. He was Forest’s record signing when they snapped him up from Peterborough United three years ago for an initial fee of £5m, rising to £8m.
It means Boro may have to almost double that fee if they are to have a chance of completing a deal.
Assombalonga is not the biggest striker, being under 5ft 10in, but he’s very strong and, more importantly, he’s a quality finisher.
Monk has also been linked in East Anglia with interest in
Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome.
The Huddersfield-born striker is over 6ft, but nowhere near as prolific a goalscorer as Assombalonga.
Boro fans will remember Jerome well.
He scored the first goal at Wembley when Boro were beaten by the Canaries in the Championship play-off final of 2015 and was later named man of the match. What Boro fans may not know is that Jerome was briefly on Boro’s books as a teenager, but was not kept on.
So they could have had him for nothing.
No doubt Monk will look at strengthening every area of his squad.
He has already been linked with interest in Kyle Bartley, who has returned to host club Swansea after having done well while on loan with Leeds last season. Monk is also almost certain to sign a goalkeeper, possibly to compete for a first-team place with Connor Ripley.
Ripley, 24, spent last season on loan at Oldham and was player of the season.
Connor is arguably ready to step up to Championship level, but Monk may feel that he needs competition in the role.