Manchester City are set to terminate Patrick Roberts' loan deal with Norwich, with the winger instead heading to Middlesbrough for the second half of the season, a report from Football Insider has claimed.

Roberts joined the Canaries on a season-long loan deal during the summer transfer window, but has since found opportunities hard to come by.

The 22-year-old has made just four appearances in all competitions for Daniel Farke's side, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, following their promotion as Championship title winners last season.

Consequentially, it has now been reported that that deal will be terminated, with Roberts instead dropping down to the Championship with 'Boro on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

This is far from the first loan spell Roberts has had since joining City from Fulham in the summer of 2015. The winger has previously spent time with Celtic and Girona in the past few years, having made just three appearances in total for current his parent club.

Middlesbrough currently sit 16th in the Championship, nine points clear of the relegation zone, going into their clash with Preston at Deepdale on New Year's Day.

The Verdict

I think this could be a good signing for Middlesbrough.

Following a quiet summer transfer window that saw them fail to really add any numbers to their side, they have been hampered by injuries somewhat in the first half of the season, which arguably hasn't helped the position they find themselves in.

You feel therefore they will want to add to their options in January, and Roberts does seem as though he could be a useful addition to their squad, given his past experience and evident potential - considering his contract with City is not set to expire until the summer of 2022.

For Roberts and City as well, this should be a useful move, providing it does finally get him the game time he has been waiting for throughout the campaign so far.