Aston Villa Midfielder Poised For A Loan Move To Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Middlesbrough’s Transfer Ambitions: Iling-Junior and Iheanacho in the Frame

Middlesbrough are making serious moves in the transfer market, suggests The Daily Mail, with the club reportedly close to securing Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa. The 21-year-old is set to cut short his loan spell at Bologna after their upcoming fixture and will travel for a medical.

Meanwhile, Boro are also battling Celtic for the loan signing of

from Sevilla. The former Leicester City striker was initially expected to join Venezia this week, but he has reconsidered his options. Leeds had also explored a potential deal before Middlesbrough entered the picture.

Photo IMAGO

Strengthening for the Promotion Push

Currently seventh in the Premier League, Middlesbrough are clearly targeting reinforcements as they aim to secure a play-off spot. Their activity this month has been substantial, with Morgan Whittaker arriving from Plymouth and George Edmundson joining from Ipswich. Defensive depth has also been addressed with Ryan Giles and goalkeeper Mark Travers arriving on loan from Hull and Bournemouth, respectively.

Despite the incomings, Isaiah Jones, Matthew Clarke, and Ajay Matthews have all departed permanently, reflecting a squad evolution under Michael Carrick’s stewardship.

What Iling-Junior and Iheanacho Bring

Iling-Junior, who was signed by Aston Villa from Juventus last summer, has struggled for regular minutes at Bologna, making just seven appearances in Serie A this season. However, he showcased his ability on the biggest stage, scoring against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last month. His Coppa Italia triumph with Juventus last season also speaks to his pedigree.

Iheanacho, meanwhile, brings Premier League experience, having netted 21 goals in 64 games for Manchester City before a successful stint at Leicester City. With 232 appearances and 61 goals for the Foxes, he remains a proven finisher. At Sevilla, he has recorded three goals in eleven matches this season, indicating he still has the ability to make an impact.

With Boro’s recent recruitment drive, Carrick’s side looks well-positioned for a strong second half of the season. Their next fixture against Sunderland on Monday will be an early test of how their new additions could fit into the squad.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Middlesbrough fans will be excited by the club’s intent in the transfer market. The push for Iling-Junior and Iheanacho signals ambition, with Carrick clearly targeting attacking reinforcements to improve their play-off chances.

Iling-Junior’s arrival is intriguing. A Champions League goal against Borussia Dortmund suggests there’s talent waiting to be unlocked, but his limited Serie A minutes raise questions about consistency. Fans will hope that a return to English football under Carrick can help him rediscover his best form.

Iheanacho’s potential move, however, could be the game-changer. His experience in England, coupled with his finishing ability, could provide the firepower Boro need in the latter stages of the season. With Middlesbrough already strengthening in multiple positions, Iheanacho’s presence could be the final piece of the puzzle in their push for promotion.

As Boro prepare to face Sunderland, supporters will be eager to see how these transfer moves materialise—and whether they can turn an already competitive team into genuine promotion contenders.