According to The Daily Mail, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has shown an interest in Queens Park Rangers midfielder Jordan Cousins. The 23-year old could be available for a cut price of around £1 million.
The 23-year old has only played eight times so far this season, mostly due to injury, and only arrived at Loftus Road 18 months ago. Despite this, it looks likely that QPR would allow Cousins to leave the club and cut their losses.
Cousins was signed from Charlton Athletic for £1.25 million, and has struggled to break into the first team picture since making the switch. But, Pulis may be able to offer him more game time at Middlesbrough after the departure of Adam Forshaw to Leeds United earlier in the window.
The QPR man can also play in a variety of positions across the midfield. He has the pace and drive to play out wide, and can play as a holding midfielder or slightly further forwards.
This interest has meant doubts have arisen about the future of Adam Clayton. The boro holding-midfielder was part of their promotion campaign up to the Premier League two seasons ago, but was regularly left out of the team under previous manager Garry Monk, and has equally found it difficult under the new manager.
However, in multiple post-match interviews and press conferences Tony Pulis reiterated that permanent deals for players would most likely not be done, and that loan deals were the preferred choice.
The Welshman has often said that the Middlesbrough squad is too big and that players would have to leave before more could come in on permanent deals.
But at just £1 million, Middlesbrough may feel Cousins is a bargain, and the opportunity to sign him can’t be passed up.
