Finn Azaz has addressed speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, insisting he is happy at Middlesbrough, but does eventually want to play at the highest level.
Azaz had a standout campaign for Boro last term, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists. On top of that, he scored his first international goal for Ireland. Such form has not gone unnoticed, with reports linking Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Leeds United with interest.
Contracted at the Riverside for another three years, Boro would prefer not to sell the 24-year-old this summer, as they plan for life under new head coach Rob Edwards. But should a huge offer come in, there would be appreciation for how that would ultimately help with more reinvestment in the squad as a consequence.
Of his future, Azaz told the Irish Sun: “I’m playing at a high level now. The Championship is a really competitive league and it’s a really good league. I think it’s ranked sixth or seventh in Europe. I’ve got a contract with Boro of course, my focus is on pre-season at the moment.
“I’m really happy at my club. I’ve had a great year. I’ve got a lot of respect for everyone at the club and it’s been amazing for me the last 18 months here. I had a great season personally so obviously I want to keep developing and my ambition is to play at the highest level.
“Whether that be the Premier League or going abroad, I want to play at the highest level. I’m fully aware that there’s a lot of Premier League players in the Irish team and I’m looking at the World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup next summer. I’m fully aware that you want to be playing against the best players week in, week out, to be in the best position possible for the World Cup qualifiers."
On how his international ambitions could shape his future, he continued: “In international football, the physicality of the opposition is sharper, it’s better. There are higher quality players. Look at England, look at Hungary, look at Bulgaria as well, they play in top leagues, at top clubs as well. People are sharper in the mind, quality is higher.
“It’s a massive step up but I want to be playing at the highest level and I’ve got to prove myself at the highest level to show that I can play at that highest level. I felt confident and I felt comfortable in terms of level I’m at. I am still having to prove myself at international level. I feel like I have now.
“But I’m not going to sit here and say that I’ve nailed down that position which I don’t think is the case. But I always believed in myself and the target was to be a starter in that team and be one of the main players in terms of going forward and creating things. That’s been my target for the last two or three years to be in that position, I believe that I could do it. And that’s still the aim to become that player and to be starting in that position every game.”
Azaz is due back at Rockliffe on Thursday for the first day of pre-season training. Players who weren’t involved in summer internationals will report back for their initial post-summer physical tests, where they will also meet the new head coach for the first time too.
Azaz is one of those after Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson chose to leave all Championship players out of his squad for June’s international friendlies in order to allow them to rest after a long campaign, and to ensure they were well-placed to make a fast start in the new campaign ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers in September.
On his summer break with a difference, he added: “It’s obviously really nice to get a long break. I went to Greece, then I did a little travelling with my friends. We like to get away to places where most footballers probably wouldn’t go.
“We went to Rio, Peru, and then Colombia. I don’t know if you’ve been to Machu Picchu, but it’s pretty hardcore – a lot of walking! It was one of those experiences you’d talk about for the rest of your life.”
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Finn Azaz of Middlesbrough scores the opening goal and celebrates
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