Championship promotion contenders Middlesbrough are considering a move for KRC Genk’s prolific striker Mbwanna Samatta, according to The Mirror.
Tanzanian striker Mbwanna Samatta of Belgian Jupiler Pro League side KRC Genk is reportedly on the radar of Championship side Middlesbrough.
The Tanzanian international striker is top of Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis’ shortlist heading into the New Year, as he looks to freshen up his attack heading into the second half of the Championship season.
It is thought that it will take between £7-8 million to bring the striker to the Riverside.
The striker has been in impressive form in the first half of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, picking up decent haul of 12 goals in 18 League games so far. Samatta has carried his League form into the Europa League as well, scoring six goals in five games in the qualifying process and picking up another three goals in the Group Stage as Genk topped their group.
Samatta made his name in Africa, playing for Congolese side TP Mazembe from 2011 to 2016. The 26-year-old striker scored an impressive 60 goals in 103 games for the African outfit. In January 2016, Samatta won the award for African Footballer of the Year for players based in Africa, becoming the first footballer from East Africa to win the award.
Since then, Samatta has been in impressive form for KRC Genk, who he joined in January 2016. He has continued the form which saw him with African Player of the Year award, scoring 55 goals and picking up 14 assists in 151 games for Genk.
Tony Pulis is looking to reshape the striking department ahead of the second half of the season as he looks to mount a promotion push with his Middlesbrough side. Rudy Gestede looks set to depart after failing to make an impact under Pulis, with Paul Lambert of Ipswich Town keen on the former Aston Villa man.
