Bristol City backed to seal Middlesbrough transfer but warned it might not happen in January | OneFootball

FLW's Bristol City fan pundit has been discussing Neto Borges' start to life at Ashton Gate, and the potential for a permanent Boro deal to be struck.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Bristol City are enjoying an excellent start to the 2025/26 Championship season under Gerhard Struber, and Middlesbrough loanee Neto Borges has been a big part of that.

The Robins claimed their fifth win of the season on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over struggling Southampton at Ashton Gate.

It was a result that left Struber's side fourth in the table ahead of the remaining Wednesday night fixtures, and helped further solidify the notion that they are once again major promotion contenders in the second tier.

"Definitely will be interested" - Bristol City issued Neto Borges permanent Middlesbrough transfer claim

That's despite the fact that City only recruited five new players during the summer transfer window, with one of those being the signing of Middlesbrough defender Neto Borges on a season-long loan deal.

He'd joined Boro from French side Clermont Foot in last year's summer window, and after a slow start to life on Teesside, was able to become a hugely popular figure among the Riverside faithful over the second half of last season, with much improved performances that largely came from central defence.

Therefore, news of his loan exit to Ashton Gate this summer was met with a fair bit of surprise and disappointment in the North East, but with the Smoggies flying under Rob Edwards and putting in excellent defensive performances, it doesn't appear to be a decision that will be met with much regret at this stage.

So, how has Borges been faring in a Robins shirt? We asked our Bristol City fan pundit, Tom Sandy: 'It's early days, but is Neto Borges impressing you in a Bristol City shirt since his loan move from Middlesbrough? Should the club already be considering making a permanent move in January/end of the season?'

Tom said: "Neto Borges is looking a fantastic player for Bristol City.

"I think that the club will definitely be interested in making the move permanent. At the moment, we do have a lot of players on the roster that need moving.

"So I'd say that some of them will probably have to move before a permanent signing could even be considered. So I don't think it will happen in January, unless, let's say Haydon Roberts leaves, who plays the same position as Neto Borges.

"If he was to leave, and also Cam Pring be back fit, then I could see Borges definitely being confirmed as a permanent signing, as long as a deal can be sorted between us and Middlesbrough.

"But he looks fantastic. Going forward he looks really good on the ball, he seems to really suit the Struber system. Obviously, it is early days, but there is a reason to be optimistic, and I really like what I'm seeing out of him.

"I think we've utilised the loan market really well this year. A lot better than what we have previously: I can't remember the last time we properly utilised the loan market, except for perhaps last year with George Earthy.

"But even then, only bringing in one player is perhaps underutilising it given the position that the club is in. This year, with Radek Vitek and obviously Borges, we've done fantastically.

"So, really exciting times, and I could see us definitely making a move for him permanently soon."

Bristol City look to have prime opportunity to strike permanent Boro Borges deal in January

If Bristol City want Borges' services on a permanent basis, then the upcoming January transfer window looks like the perfect time to agree a deal with Middlesbrough.

As aforementioned, Boro are going great guns under Edwards, with a large reason for that being the success they've found with their new defensive shape.

Edwards has shown his tactical flexibility on Teesside, deploying both back four and back three formations from the start, but has also changed to a back five on numerous times in-game, in an attempt to see out results.

That's a noticeable change from Middlesbrough's previous boss Michael Carrick, who almost exclusively set his Boro teams up to play 4-2-3-1, regardless of the opposition or how each match was panning out.

Having conceded just seven goals ahead of their 11th game of the season vs Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday evening, the Boro backline has, in the eyes of many Smoggies, been their best and most solid unit so far this season.

New signings such as Alfie Jones, Matt Targett and Callum Brittain have all hit the ground sprinting at the Riverside, whilst returning players for 2025/26 such as Dael Fry and Luke Ayling are playing their best football in a Middlesbrough shirt.

That's without factoring in that Edwards is waiting on George Edmundson and Darragh Lenihan to return from injuries, whilst on the left flank where Borges is thriving for Bristol City, the previously mentioned Targett has arguably been Boro's player of the season so far, with Sammy Silvera enjoying a Riverside resurgence when called upon at that position too.

Middlesbrough will only further bolster their defensive options when January arrives, as $8.5m signing Adilson Malanda will link up with the club following the conclusion of Charlotte FC's MLS campaign.

All of this means it's hard to currently envision Borges returning to Middlesbrough and carving out a meaningful role, and as such, Boro may well be happy to sell the Brazilian in the winter if City come calling.