As reported on The72 last week, a trio of Championship clubs are monitoring experienced Middlesbrough centre back Daniel Ayala.
Reports from TEAMtalk who broke the story claim that Middlesbrough are willing to ‘cash in’ on Ayala, as they cannot offer fresh terms.
The defender is out of contract in the summer, and is one of seven first team players who could be needing to find new clubs come the end of the season. Ayala is on ‘big wages’ already according to TEAMtalk, and players who’s contracts are expiring have already been told they must take a pay cut if they want to stay.
The 29-year old had his say on the contract situation earlier this month, stating he would like to remain at the club, but admits the situation is out of his hands.
“Of course I would like to stay,” he said. “I have been here seven years and played 200 games and hopefully I can play a lot more.
“But I know things are changing at the club and maybe they want to get younger players in and maybe they want to have not so many big earners.
“That is something I have to accept. That’s the reality of football now – but as I say I want to stay.
“Hopefully I can stay here a lot more years, but that it is not my decision. We will see what happens.”
If Ayala was to depart, that would leave Dael Fry as the only natural central defender at Middlesbrough. Ryan Shotton, George Friend and Paddy McNair have all filled in at times this season, but their preferred positions are elsewhere on the pitch.
