According to a recent report by The Express, Middlesbrough are touted as the bookies’ favourites to bring Bradford City’s prolific goal-getter, Charlie Wyke, to the Riverside Stadium this month. However, it is understood that they have to fork out a transfer fee of £5million to prise him out of Valley Parade and apart from them, Leeds United are also in the race to sign him.
The Smoggies are very much alive in the race to secure a promotion to the Premier League. After 28 league games so far this campaign in the Championship, they have collected 44 points and are placed at the 8th spot in the league table. With just a couple of points separating them from Sheffield United, who are placed at the 6th spot, Boro would feel that they certainly have a chance.
The apparent interest of clubs in Wyke makes sense, for he is someone who has dazzled so far in League One. In 26 games, the 25-year-old has smashed 12 goals and has been quite an instrumental figure for his current employers. He has proved himself to be a legitimate goal scorer and has the ingredients to be a crucial addition to Middlesbrough.
Wyke emerged through the ranks of the Riversiders and was then elevated to their senior side. He had loan spells in Kettering Town, Hartlepool United, AFC Wimbledon but left his hometown club three years ago without any senior appearance to his name when he joined Carlisle United. In the January transfer window of 2017, he signed for the Bantams for just £250,000.
His spells with Carlisle United and Bradford City have been quite appealing and no wonder Pulis is keen to add him to his arsenal. Apart from Britt Assombalonga and Martin Braithwaite, the attackers of Middlesbrough have struggled to find the back of the net. The former West Bromwich Albion manager is really keen to bring some freshness to the final third and Wyke could be what he is looking for.
Wyke is a tall forward and his height gives him an added edge inside the box. He is well acclimatised with English football and is someone who has made scoring goals look easy in the English third division. However, Pulis already has the likes of Patrick Bamford, Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede in his ranks and might have to get rid of someone in the near future if they indeed make this signing.