Middlesbrough forward Bilal Brahimi is set for a move to Ligue 1 side Rennes, according to The Sunday People (17th March print edition page 50).

The 19-year-old prospect has featured regularly in Middlesbrough's Under-23 side this season, but is thought to be pining for a move away from Teesside in search of more first-team action.

Brahimi is yet to earn his first league appearance for Tony Pulis' side, but featured once in both the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy earlier this season and came off the bench in the latter to assist Hayden Hackney's late winner in a 1-0 win over Burton Albion.

His performances in Boro's youth teams have earned him plaudits from supporters, but he is now reportedly sceptical about extending his stay at the Riverside Stadium.

This comes despite reported interest (from the same outlet) in the winger from Premier League clubs Liverpool and Newcastle with scouts from these clubs have watched Brahimi in action this season, but it is understood he would prefer a move back to his home country.

The Verdict

Boro have a wide array of talent in their youth set-up with the likes of Marcus Tavernier, Gabriel McGill and Stephen Walker, but Brahimi is one of the stand-out prospects. Since arriving from Leixoes in 2017, Brahimi has scored six times in 35 games for Middlesbrough's Under-18 and Under-23 sides.

He has received praise on Teesside for his confident trickery and was earmarked as one of the club's key prospects for the future, so it will come as a blow to Middlesbrough fans that his time in the north-east is seemingly nearing its conclusion.