According to a recent report from the BBC, it looks as though Middlesbrough are going to miss out on the loan signing of winger Yannick Bolasie. The 29-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since the summer of 2016, although the arrival of Richarlison during the recent close season appears to have pushed the DR Congo international down the pecking order at Goodison Park.
And Tony Pulis’ Boro were one side reportedly keen on Bolasie, although it appears that Aston Villa have won the race for his signature. Thus, a move for the 29-year-old is off, which is sure to frustrate many Boro fans, yet their club may well have just salvaged their summer by completing a deal to bring Muhamed Besic back to the North East outfit.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, Pulis’ side were being tipped by many over the summer as a team to watch out for at the top end of the Championship this term, and the additions of Aden Flint and Paddy McNair only added to the expectation.
Yet things have gone quiet since then for the Teessiders with goalkeeper Andy Lonergan arriving on a free and striker Jordan Hugill on loan from West Ham, although the departures of Patrick Bamford, Ben Gibson, and Adama Traore has seen some huge talent leave the Riverside Stadium.
And it’s clear that manager Pulis was seeking to compensate for those departures in the form of messrs Besic and Bolasie, but having failed to secure the signature of the latter, it was imperative that he got a deal done for the former.
The Boro chief will be well aware of the qualities the Bosnia and Herzegovina international brings to his side having coached him in the second half of last season, in which time the 25-year-old became a regular in Pulis’ team to underline his influence in the North East.
The midfielder started 15 Championship matches following his arrival on loan from Everton before starting in both of their play-off semi-final clashes against Aston Villa, which itself suggests that Pulis is very much a fan of the 25-year-old.
And it’s no wonder given that Besic adds a great deal to one’s midfield, given he is tenacious off the ball in seeking to protect the backline, while he also possesses genuine quality on the ball in showing composure in possession and seeking to launch attacks – he’s the ideal defensive midfielder.
And given how much he offered to Boro in the second half of last season, it’s clear that he is well-equipped to succeed in the second tier, and as such it’s hardly surprising that Pulis has brought him back to the club.
And having missed out on Bolasie, it was imperative that the Middlesbrough boss secured a deal for Besic in a bid to salvage what has been a testing summer at the Riverside Stadium.
Boro fans… what do you think? Let us know!
