According to TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis wants to bring free agent Bakary Sako to the Riverside Stadium, but will face competition from Aston Villa.

What’s the story?

Boro were said to be confident of securing a deal for Yannick Bolasie during the summer, but ultimately missed out to Villa in the race to sign the attacker.

Pulis is believed to want another forward to boost his squad, and according to TEAMtalk, the experienced boss is eyeing a move for Sako.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs since leaving Crystal Palace on a free transfer at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

The majority of the interest has come from the Championship, and it is not a surprise that Boro want to sign the experienced attacker for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign.

Should Boro move for Sako?

The Mali international moved to the English game in 2012 – joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Saint-Etienne.

Sako scored 38 times in 124 appearances for Wolves before joining Palace, and he netted twice in 20 Premier League matches during his first season at Selhurst Park.

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The attacker actually scored six times in 19 appearances for Palace last term, which is a strong record, but was deemed surplus to requirements at the end of the season.

Sako might not be on the radar of Premier League clubs, but he has a record of 24 goals and 21 assists in 78 Championship appearances, and there is no question that second-tier defences would fear coming up against the powerful attacker.

It remains to be seen whether Boro – second in the Championship to Leeds United – can secure Sako’s signature, but it could well make them favourites for the title if they manage to pull it off.

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