Championship promotions contenders Middlesbrough were expected to be busy today and they look set to kickstart that with the signing of Belgian midfielder Julien de Sart. The Standard Liege and Belgium Under-21 international player is expected to pen a loan deal until the end of the season according to Gazette Live.
The 21-year-old has travelled to Teesside to complete his medical and sign the relevant paperwork ahead of signing for Aitor Karanka’s team. Talks to sign Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn Rovers continue.
The youngster has played 79 times for Standard Liege since breaking into the first-team fold a few seasons ago. However he has recently fallen out of favour with the newly-appointed manager at the club and is free to leave should he wish. A move to fellow Belgian club Zulte Waregem fell through, which looks set to be to Boro’s gain.
Karanka has insisted that the player has scouted and that has been the case for some time. They are now in a realistic position to try and push through a move, which should be completed well before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.
The highly-rated player has four caps for the Belgian Under-21 side and even has a Europa League appearance to his CV. He is expected to mainly provide cover for Grand Leadbitter and Adam Clayton in the midfield, just as Bruno Zucilini did earlier this season during his loan spell away from Manchester City.