Middlesbrough suffer transfer blow in race to sign 20-goal star | OneFootball

Viktoria Plzen's Pavel Sulc is set to join Lyon, with the attacking midfielder having previously been a target for Middlesbrough this summer.

Middlesbrough look set to miss out on an ambitious move for Viktoria Plzen’s Pavel Sulc, with the attacking midfielder set for a medical with Lyon.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the top talents in Czech football with his performances in recent years, which included Sulc finding the net 20 times last season.

Therefore, with the player entering the final year of his contract, a summer move was always likely, and a host of clubs had been linked with Sulc, with Middlesbrough reportedly among the admirers.

Middlesbrough target Pavel Sulc set for medical with Lyon ahead of €10m transfer

Given his ability, this was always going to be a difficult deal for Boro to pull off, and it appears they have missed out on the 12-cap international.

That’s after reporter Fabrizio Romano revealed that Lyon are pushing ahead to finalise a transfer for Sulc.

He stated that they have agreed an initial €7.5m deal with Plzen for their star man, and it could rise to €10m in total if future add-ons are met. Sulc has agreed personal terms with the French side as well, so he is now set for a medical before the transfer is completed.

Middlesbrough could be set for a busy final month of the transfer window

In truth, it always seemed a long shot for Middlesbrough to get Sulc, as he was always going to attract interest from top division clubs, and the Championship side were always going to struggle to beat a club like Lyon to the signing.

Plus, a €10m package would be a significant outlay for Boro, and whilst they have spent big in the past, they may not be in a position to spend that much on one individual.

But, Boro will be in the market for attack-minded players, and they do need some creative options that can link play in the final third.

There also needs to be patience, as Rob Edwards is making major changes at the club, with a new formation, and he will have different demands from the players.

He will want reinforcements, but Boro will also face a battle to keep players, and the obvious one is Hayden Hackney, who seems likely to move, with the club having accepted an offer of around £20m from Ipswich for the academy graduate.

Losing the midfielder would be a big blow, but it would at least give the club more money to play with, and it could be the trigger for more incomings.