Middlesbrough are one of several EFL sides interested in securing a loan move for Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson in January, according to a report from the Daily Mail.

Birmingham City, Bristol City, Ipswich Town, Millwall, Preston North End, Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic are also believed to be monitoring his situation at this point, with the Teesside outfit facing a considerable battle in their potential quest to get a temporary deal over the line.

Boro currently have four loanees at their disposal and are able to add a fifth with the club allowed to have five in a matchday squad, though they may decide to look at bringing in two further loan players during the January window.

 

 

Football League World understands Manchester United midfielder and Iraq international Zidane Iqbal is also the subject of interest from Michael Carrick's side as the former England international potentially looks to make full use of his contacts at Old Trafford.

They also have existing ties with Brighton with Aaron Connolly joining on loan in January for the second half of last season and Matt Clarke arriving at the Riverside permanently during the previous window.

With another deal between the two sides potentially in the pipeline, we take a look at one winner and one loser on Teesside if the Championship side do manage to seal a loan move for Ferguson.

Winner: Matthew Hoppe

Aug 1, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; United States forward Matthew Hoppe (13) controls the ball against Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The United States international has seen his playing time limited this term, failing to make a real impact at the Riverside despite the fact fellow forward Josh Coburn is currently away on a loan spell.

And he doesn't look set to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for some time, with Rodrigo Muniz, Duncan Watmore, Marcus Forss and Chuba Akpom all available as alternative options for Carrick.

If Ferguson does come in, that could give Boro the confidence to send Hoppe out on a loan spell and that could be crucial for the American's development if he wants to force his way into the Teesside outfit's starting lineup in the coming years.

Without a loan spell, you feel the 21-year-old may end up enduring an unsuccessful spell in the Riverside, though there's still plenty of time for him to make an impact.

Loser: Marcus Forss

Soccer Football - Championship - Hull City v Fulham - KCOM Stadium, Hull, Britain - February 12, 2022 Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo in action with Hull City's Marcus Forss Action Images/John Clifton EDITORIAL USE ONLY

One man who is likely to remain at Boro even if Ferguson comes in is Forss, who has been unlucky not to score more goals for his current side this season.

With Chuba Akpom in fine form, you feel it may be the Finland international's starting spot that may be threatened and that would be a disaster for the player who needs to get as much game time under his belt as possible at 23.

The increased competition is likely to be a good thing for the ex-Brentford man in his quest to maximise his performance levels - but his game time will probably be affected by the Brighton man's arrival regardless of whether he remains in the starting lineup or not.

Brighton won't want Ferguson to sit on the bench for most of the season, so Boro are likely to give them reassurances regarding his playing time if they do seal a deal and that may not bode well for Forss.