Nottingham Forest overtake Leeds as even favourites for midfield capture

19 January 2018

2 minute read

A little over two weeks ago it was Leeds United and Sheffield United that were going head-to-head to in the bookie’s race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton. Now there’s a new kid on the block.

According to online bookmaker Bet Victor, the Whites have been overtaken by the Reds as Nottingham Forest now sit in the driving seat to land the out-of-favour Boro midfielder. Clayton has fallen out of favour somewhat at The Riverside, having only played twice for Boro in the last 15 games (the 3-0 loss to Derby) and out of those 15 games has not featured in the match day squad on ten occasions.

However, Leeds have this week bought one Adam from Middlesbrough, with midfielder Adam Forshaw coming in from the Riverside to Elland Road on a £4.5 million deal that starts with an initial payment of £3 million. This deal, surprised some as the Whites paid out to secure their costliest transfer for 16 years. Moving for Forshaw has likely scuppered any move for Clayton and a return to Elland Road for the Manchester-born 29-year-old.

Leeds have slipped from 2-1 joint-favourites a fortnight-or-so ago to 4-1 second favourites now behind Nottingham Forest who are installed as evens-favourites to capture Clayton. Forest currently occupy 15th place in the table with 32 points from their 27 Sky Bet Championship games so far this campaign.

Middlesbrough midfielder Clayton comes with bags of Championship experience for a side like Forest to exploit, featuring in 230 games for Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and current club Middlesbrough. These 230 games have brought 19 goals and 18 assists for the former Manchester City youth player.

Add to that total 34 appearances in Middlesbrough’s doomed Premier League campaign last season and it isn’t too hard to see what teams in the mid-range of the Championship table would be interested in a midfielder like Adam Clayton.