The Northern Echo reports that Middlesbrough forward Martin Braithwaite has been granted permission to leave the club and return to France and Ligue 1 with Bordeaux. The Danish international moved to the Riverside Stadium for £9million from Toulouse last summer, when Garry Monk was head coach.
Tony Pulis however is clearly not a fan of the player, despite him featuring off the bench in their last league game, a 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. He has however seen his game time reduced following the managerial change, and Pulis is now seemingly happy for Braithwaite to move on.
Bordeaux are now managed by former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet, and he also spent time managing in the EFL with Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as current Championship strugglers Sunderland. He oversaw a great home win over Lyon at the weekend but may be set to welcome a new forward to his ranks. Braithwaite is expected to seal a loan move with a view to a permanent switch.
Injury certainly caused Braithwaite some issues earlier into his time with Boro. Braithwaite sees himself as a striker, a role he has barely played in since making the switch to English football. Quite often he found himself in the number ten position, or wide left in more recent times. Pulis therefore could be focusing on adding a fresh attacking face before the deadline, especially if Braithwaite moves. Even more so if Ashley Fletcher leaves, which is a possibility based on the strong rumours surrounding his future. He too was another big money Monk signing in the summer.
