Martin Braithwaite only joined Middlesbrough from Toulouse in the summer, in a deal reportedly valued at around £9m, under Garry Monk.

The forward has been linked with a return to France on loan before the January transfer window slams shut on February 1 and speaking ahead of the visit of Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Boro boss Tony Pulis has issued the latest update on his future.

He offered a response when asked about the reports of a swift return to France for Braithwaite and passed comment on loan offers for his players as he seeks to reshape the bloated squad he inherited from Monk and make it fit for a promotion push in the latter part of the season.

He told the Boro website: "There’s been interest for four or five of our players and they’ve been loans more than permanent deals.

“At the moment the people who have rung up about loans have got no chance – we’re not going to give players away."

The Verdict

It is clear from this update - on loan players in general, but that we can comfortably infer is at least in part to do with Braithwaite - that Pulis is only willing to offload players if he can generate a transfer fee that will help him bring in a suitable replacement.

It is not even that he is worrying about strengthening a rival, as the most likely destination for Braithwaite looks to be France, he just doesn't want to offload players for the sake of it.

Boro fans - what do you make of Pulis's latest update? Let us know in the comments below...