Middlesbrough have allowed summer signing Martin Braithwaite to return to France and sign for Bordeaux, reports journalist Graeme Bailey on Twitter.

In what many will consider a shock move by the new Boro manager, Braithwaite is being allowed to move back across the Channel only six months into a deal with the Teeside club after being signed by Garry Monk in the summer.

However, the report also claims that Boro and Pulis want to sign striker Younousse Sankhare as an immediate replacement, with Pulis hoping the French club will see Sankhare as surplus to requirements following the arrival of Braithwaite.

The 26-year-old had made a postive start to life in England initially and looked to be on the verge of forming an excellent partnership with fellow big money signing Britt Assombalonga, however, since Pulis took over the reigns from Monk, Braithwaite has found himself out of the picture.

Boro signed a wealth of new striking talent in the summer along with Braithwaite, including Ashley Fletcher, but Pulis is clearly keen on adding further faces to his squad as he looks to guide his new club into the playoffs and an immediate return to the Premier League.

Boro fans, what do you make of this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!