Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is reportedly willing to sell as many as four first-team stars in order to fund his January exploits, according to the Northern Echo. 

Grant Leadbitter, Britt Assombalonga, Rudy Gestede and Ashley Fletcher have all been labelled as players who could depart as Pulis looks to bring in those who suit his style of play.

"The club has thrown a hell of a lot of money at getting promoted," Pulis said.

"I’m talking about a lot of money, an extraordinary amount, and that’s how it is.

"So, if we can do something, great. But it has to be the right player, and it has to be the right deal for this football club because next year, the money drops again."

Boro still sit inside the top-six although frustrations are beginning to build among the fans with Pulis and his approach to games.

It is, therefore, no surprise to see him keen to make changes this January and work around their financial limits.

According to the Northern Echo's report, all four players could be sold by next Thursday.

Assombalonga would be the most surprising name to leave the club considering he is currently Boro's top scorer for the season.

Last weekend saw another frustrating result as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Millwall at the Riverside, leaving them with just a three-point cushion over seventh-placed Bristol City.

The verdict 

This seems a little bit rash from Pulis.

Considering how important these players could still be this season it is a risk revealing his plans like this and potentially unsettling his troops.

It looks like being an all or nothing transfer window for the Welshman.