Middlesbrough winger Bilal Brahimi appears to have left the club to join French side Reims. 

The Frenchman suggested last year that he wanted to stay at the club and sign a new professional deal, however, it seems his Boro career is now over.

The move is yet to be officially confirmed, however, the 19-year-old has uploaded an image of himself holding up a Reims shirt to his Instagram story.

It is understood that his agent was alerting clubs in both the UK and the rest of Europe to his availability earlier this year.

Liverpool and Newcastle United were both rumoured to be interested in the 19-year-old but it seems he has joined the Ligue 1 side.

France Football has reported that Brahimi has signed a three-year contract with the club.

The France under-19 international made just one appearance for the Boro senior side, coming on as a substitute against Rochdale in the EFL Cup in August last year.

Brahimi arrived at The Riverside from Portuguese side Leixões SC in 2017, joining after a successful trial.

He developed through the Teesside club's youth teams, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 20 appearances for the under-18s and contributing one goal and two assists in 22 appearances for the under-23s.

The Verdict

The teenager, who is comfortable playing as a centre-forward and on both flanks, is clearly a talented young player given the top-flight clubs interested in him and his exit is not ideal for Boro.

It seems as though this is a situation that has been developing some time, however, so his exit is unlikely to be a shock for the North East club.

The forward was given his debut by Tony Pulis last season, so the change in management may have been a contributing factor to his departure.

Young players have been given a chance under new boss Jonathan Woodgate this summer but it is believed that Brahimi was not among them as he was likely to leave.