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Middlesbrough splashing £6m on this loan star would be a total waste and they must avoid it at all costs

Why Middlesbrough should avoid signing Jordan Hugill permanently

According to a report from Hartlepool Mail, Middlesbrough are considering signing on-loan striker Jordan Hugill permanently. The report suggests that Middlesbrough have a £6million buy option in the striker’s loan deal should they wish to turn the move into a permanent one.

Jordan Hugill, 26, who joined West Ham from Preston North End earlier in January last season, was restricted to just 22 minutes of Premier League football in east London. The 26-year-old old struggled to establish himself at West Ham and was eventually shipped out on loan to Middlesbrough in the summer after missing the pre-season with the Hammers due to injury.

Since making the moving to Riverside Stadium, Jordan Hugill has scored four goals across all competitions in 17 games. After a slow start, he has started to get his career back on track of late, scoring three Championship goals in the last month.

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Truth be told, the 26-year-old’s goal tally isn’t impressive despite him playing close to 17 games this season. So Middlesbrough’s desire to make Hugill’s deal permanent next month represents a risky gamble.

The Teesside-based club are in the promotion picture this term under the highly-experienced Tony Pulis. Pulis, known for setting up his teams in an ultra-defensive manner, has certainly made Boro’s defence a tough nut to crack. They have the best defence in the league, with just 14 goals conceded so far in the Championship and all thanks to Pulis for transforming his side.

However, Middlesbrough have been toothless going forward and have scored just 23 goals in 21 games. The most worrying thing for Pulis is his side have scored the least amount of goals amongst the top six. So the Welsh tactician should look to add further firepower his attack to sustain a promotion fight until May.

Jordan Hugill

Boro have the likes of Martin Braithwaite, Britt Assombalonga, Rudy Gestede, Ashley Fletcher and Jordan Hugill as options up front. In fact, Britt Assombalonga is the club’s top scorer with just six goals. For a club chasing promotion, the returns from Middlesbrough’s forwards are simply underwhelming.

Hence, splashing £6million on Hugill, who has scored just three times till date, is simply not a good idea. Pulis needs a player who could bring more pace, intensity and liveliness to his attack to boost Boro’s promotion hopes. In that case, Hugill isn’t the answer to the club’s attacking woes.

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Hence, Middlesbrough should avoid splashing so much money to make Hugill’s deal permanent.