Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town scouts were among those watching Wycombe Wanderers’ Richard Kone in action last weekend, as per Graeme Bailey.
Middlesbrough and plenty of other clubs up and down the country still have a lot to play for this season. Boro are at risk of underachieving again and have 10 games to turn their season around.
It means Michael Carrick and his players will be laser focused on the short-term, though those behind the scenes on Teesside will be making plans for the summer.
Boro - Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Targets will already be in mind for Boro, who hold Premier League ambitions.
Now, it is claimed that Middlesbrough are among the clubs with eyes on Wycombe Wanderers talisman Richard Kone, who has taken League One by storm since jumping up from the lower reaches of non-league with the Chairboys.
Speaking with EFL Analysis, reporter Graeme Bailey says Boro scouts watched Kone in action for Wycombe against Peterborough United on Saturday. Also in attendance to watch the Ivorian star were Ipswich Town and Southampton.
There are other clubs keen too. Championship side Norwich City are named as Kone admirers alongside Brentford, Crystal Palace, Celtic, Rangers, France’s Toulouse FC and Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium.
Kone starring in League One
Kone’s rise from homelessness to being a League One talisman has caught the eyes of the football world this season, with curious onlookers and interested parties such as Middlesbrough.
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Luton Town made multiple bids to try and prise the 21-year-old away from Wycombe Wanderers in January but were knocked back. However, the Chairboys could face an uphill battle to do the same this summer if they don’t win promotion.
wycombe
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
Kone has a fantastic 20 goals in 41 games this season, providing three assists. His all-round game is that of someone who looks to have been playing at a high level for far longer than he has been.
A striker needed at Boro?
Middlesbrough parted ways with Emmanuel Latte Lath in January and having only signed Kelechi Iheanacho on loan, a more long-term option will be required this summer.
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Tommy Conway has led the line for the most part since, though Marcus Forss is also an option while youngster Sonny Finch has been in and around the first-team.
Kone could be the long-term Latte Lath replacement for Boro, and he could bring a big profit like his compatriot too. Time will tell just where he heads though with a whole range of sides keen.