'Boro Transfer News: Sunderland starlet linked, Swiss youngster on radar, Ipswich defender opens door to move'

Although over a month remains until the opening of the January transfer window, Boro have already been linked with a host of players.

Middlesbrough have their work cut out if they are to secure the services of Sunderland midfielder Josh Maja, with fellow Championship side Bristol City also aiming for his signature.

The 19-year-old has been in fine form for the Black Cats this season, and has already scored 11 goals in 20 games in all competitions this season.

If Boro want to wrap up the signing of the former Fulham player, they are up against the Robbins who are trying to lure the teenager to Ashton Gate.

Middlesbrough, who reportedly had a bid rejected for Maja in the summer, were confident they could secure his services on a cut-price in January with just 6 months remaining on Maja’s contract.

However, with Bristol City also in the race for his signature, that might drive the price for Maja up, creating a difficult situation for Boro.

Swiss Midfielder Linked

Another Middlesbrough transfer rumour from Italy has claimed that Boro are one of multiple clubs scouting Swiss Under-18 International Stephane Cueni.

The Italian publication has further claimed that in addition to Middlesbrough, the likes of Udinese, Parma, and Torino are also monitoring the situation of the 17-year-old.

Currently playing for Team Vaud, Cueni has captained the Swiss U-18s side four times this season, showing his potential in each of those games.

While his natural game is that of a box-to-box midfielder, he can play in multiple positions including the second striker and across the midfield.

Apart from his performances, it is the contract situation of Cueni which has seen an increase in interest in him in the last couple of weeks. His current contract at Team Vaud will lapse in the summer, making the player available on a free transfer.

Ipswich Defender Opens Door

At a time when Middlesbrough are short of options in the left-back position after the injury to Southampton loanee Sam McQueen, Ipswich full-back Jonas Knudsen has hinted that he would consider moving to Boro in the upcoming transfer window.

Knudsen was one of the players linked with Middlesbrough in the summer after they had seen former left-back Fabio Da Silva make his move to Nantes.

Taking about Boro's interest in him, Knudsen said "there was something concrete in it", who was also the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Stoke City in the close season. "But sometimes things do not come into place as you please."

"That’s the way it is. This summer, I had a year left. Now, I have half a year left. It’s a new situation in January, so we will see."

"I will look at my own situation and, for January, the window will open again and I can talk freely with other clubs."